Every fifth family in Austria consists of only one parent and their offspring. Women in particular are affected by this situation and therefore face major challenges. Some mothers even have to stop working because there is no adequate childcare.
“I’m actually alone with my little one most of the time, juggling between work, housework and everyday life and things to do. I don’t have time to talk to you about my situation.” The first press question to a single parent goes to the heart of the mothers’ situation: they are unable to draw attention to themselves and their problems. The Austrian platform for single parents (ÖPA) counted 167,900 single-parent families last year. 22,100 single fathers are also affected.
Childcare in rural areas in particular makes it difficult for mothers to work in addition to raising children. “There are offers here in Upper Austria. But they cost a lot of money and are not always good,” Maria S. explains. She does not want to read her real name in the “Krone”. “Since I divorced my daughter’s father, people talk a lot. But it remains important to me that I talk about the situation of single parents.” The 35-year-old cannot rely on her parents. You work yourself and cannot intervene spontaneously. “What other choice do I have than to stay home if my child is sick or just doesn’t want to go to preschool?”
Shared apartments as a solution for single parents
A great wish of the mother: “More cohesion among women. I would like to live in a shared apartment. Because I also need support outside kindergarten hours.” From June, the Upper Austrian must be available for the labor market service for 20 hours. If she cannot do this, she falls under the emergency rule. “As long as my child does not go to school, I unfortunately cannot guarantee this. And until then it will take another two years,” says the single parent. The child’s father takes care of the five-year-old every other weekend, but the rest of the time Maria S. is on her own.
Similar situation, different state: Tamara Anna Zuchna lives with her 2.5-year-old son in Salzburg. During the pregnancy, the father decided against the family. “I consciously decided to go ahead with it alone, even though I wasn’t fully aware of the consequences,” the 30-year-old summarizes.
The biggest challenge for single parents is the worries and fears that they have to bear alone and cannot share with a partner. “Even though I have a perfect social network and emotional support, ultimately I have sole custody and make all parenting decisions alone.”
No financing due to high tenants
Even when it comes to finances, the Salzburg woman is on her own. “I asked the social workers extensively in advance: we were not eligible for rental subsidies because our apartment was too expensive.” A problem that many in Salzburg are familiar with.
The grandparents and uncle are major pillars in the lives of Tamara Anna Zuchna and little Levi Taio. “You pick him up from the playroom while I study nursing.”
The single parent has now learned to accept help. “It feels good when friends send me motivational messages and meet me when time permits.” Despite all these challenges, the Salzburg resident remains hopeful. “My son and I are a strong team, we discover the world together and have a bright future together.”
More than 10 p.m. active solo dads
Separation of the mother from the child, fate or other reasons: according to the Austrian Platform for Single Parents (ÖPA), 22,100 fathers in the Alpine Republic are also solely responsible for their families. “These single fathers have the same problems as mothers,” ÖPA director Doris Pettighofer emphasizes in an interview with the “Krone” – and further: “Securing a livelihood is the top priority, so that the children have the same opportunities in life as children of all other families.”
The ÖPA is often the first point of contact for fathers or mothers who face the big hurdle of having to do everything alone. Pettighofer: “We then forward those seeking help to our 25 organizations where they can receive help.” The ÖPA is also involved in reform groups for new family laws.
The stories of Maria S. and Tamara Anna Zuchna highlight the diverse difficulties faced by single parents in Austria. These are examples of thousands of women and men who have to juggle every day between raising children, work and personal needs. Despite the enormous stress and often lack of support from society, these strong women show admirable resilience. Nevertheless, politicians must intervene and help those affected.
The challenges faced by single parents in Austria are often invisible. Financial constraints, the lack of adequate childcare and the constant balance between work and private life. Katharina Hofer-Schillen supports working women and mothers and helps them combine work and family. In the interview she explains the importance of support from family, friends and employers and what practical tips can help you cope better with everyday life.
Crown: What problems do single parents most often face?
Katharina Hofer-Schillen: These problems can be experienced individually and to varying degrees by single parents, depending on their personal situation and available resources. How much support is there from family, friends and the employer.
In some cases, there is the financial burden if alimony payments are not made or if there are limited appeal options due to a lack of childcare. For many people, the issue of combining work and family life is wishful thinking. Single parents juggle every day to find time for their children, but there is hardly any time for themselves. This in turn leads to stress and exhaustion if energy cannot be recharged. Prioritizing the needs of their children leaves little room for their own needs.
If there is no support from your family and social environment, you feel lonely and alone – responsible for everything, the self-imposed pressure such as perfectionism, wanting to please everyone, a lack of recognition.Isolation is the result. The subject of school is a very big challenge. No money for tutoring, no time to check or even understand schoolwork. This is no longer possible or can only be done if both parents participate.
How can you support them?
Of course, it is very important to have a supportive environment and people you can trust and open up with. Pay attention to who and what my energy thieves are. What stresses me every day? Write down these little things and think about how I can reduce or, at best, eliminate these stress parameters. Stay away from people who are not good for you. Consciously build a helpful network. Where can I find mothers who are affected in the same way, which people give me energy and strength – are positive. Who can help my children at school? It is also important to involve family and friends in childcare. Not just grandma. There is also the godfather, the aunt, the siblings, the best friend’s daughter, the neighbor, etc. The trust has to be there. Then it feels good when the child is placed there.
What phrases do you recommend to provide help? You don’t want to get too close to anyone.
I always hear the phrase, “I would love to do things that bring me joy, but I don’t have time for them.” My answer is: “It is not the time we miss, but the time we misuse. When we look closer, we spend hours on social networks or surfing in front of the television. Take some of this often pointless waste of time and turn it into quality time. Take a walk, meet a friend, enjoy a bath. Throw perfectionism overboard and bring in the positive egoist. For example, enjoy the sun on the balcony instead of cleaning up. Nothing will happen if it happens the next day.
What support do you expect from the state?
The care options in the countryside and in the city are different. The state must do its best to improve the living conditions of single parents and increase their chances of a stable and satisfying life for themselves and their children. Promote affordable childcare, sufficient childcare places, expansion of daycare centers or childcare facilities… Affordable housing and support in finding housing, by offering free or cheap legal advice. But I’m not talking about anything new here. This has been debated for centuries. There is a lot available, but the information about it is available on very different channels. Who can I contact about single parenting?
How can employers respond?
If attractive, family-friendly conditions are created, everyday life becomes much easier to manage. What is meant is flexibility in terms of working hours, options for working from home, services for families, i.e. discounts, subsidies for holiday care/tutoring, health promotion measures especially for mothers. As a certified berufund family auditor, I support companies in developing a family-friendly total strategy, developing measures to deal better with daily life and thus, as a logical consequence, great added value for the company. Being visible and seen as an attractive and supportive employer is a very positive development.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
