The number of single-parent families headed by men in Quebec is constantly increasing, but the phenomenon remains little known to the general public.
Indeed, in the collective imagination, we spontaneously associate single parenthood with the situation of a mother living alone with her children. But what is it exactly? In order to find out more, I did a little research, the results of which I am sharing with you today.
Statistical Data
According to Statistics Canada, in Quebec in 2006 (most recent census), 22% of single-parent families (77,240) were headed by men, i.e. more than one family single parent in five. This percentage varies by region of the province. Since single-parent families (352,825) represent 16% of Quebec families (2,121,610), single-parent families headed by men therefore constituted, in Quebec in 2006, 3.6% of all Quebec families.
Always according to Statistics Canada data collected this time in 2001, single-parent families headed by men are smaller than those headed by women. In fact, single-parent fathers are responsible for a single child in 69.4% of cases, while mothers inthe same situation are responsible for a single child in 38.3% of cases. The highest percentage of single fathers is between the ages of 40 and 49.
According to the Quebec Ministry of He alth and Social Services, 22% of single-parent families headed by men currently live below the low-income threshold compared to 46% of single-parent families headed by women.
Search
According to researcher Germain Dulac, single fathers are generally more educated than single mothers and find themselves more in the labor market. This more favorable socio-economic situation facilitates their access to certain solutions for domestic activities. Their children are older than those of single mothers. Single fathers are also generally satisfied with their relationships with their children, but less satisfied than single mothers with their social life.
Research tends to confirm a higher degree of psychological distress in men than in women in single parenthood. Single fathers do not perceive the social legitimacy of their situation and wish to receive support from the community. They are sensitive to the reception of institutions and often have the impression of a social stigma towards them.
The challenge for single fathers, like single mothers, is to reconcile and harmonize their different roles. It's not always easy, because they can't count on each other's help.spouse to support them.
They must also, more than single mothers, justify to their employer an absence caused by the illness of a child or by another family constraint. Unfortunately, the workplace still often sees this kind of responsibility as more of a mother's responsibility.
Research also tells us that single dads often struggle with difficult breakups and custody disputes. There are more teenagers than young children in single-parent families headed by fathers. For all these reasons, it seems that the situation of single parent families headed by men is often very sensitive.
Services
In general, it can be seen that services for single-parent families are geared more towards mothers than towards fathers. A study published in 2005 (Services for fathers, a description and a look at the evolution of Canadian practices) observes, however, a slow but constant evolution of services for fathers and it seems that the reality of these is taken more into account in the offer of services to the family. Studies also seem to demonstrate the need to develop intervention practices that specifically include fathers. However, there is still a lot of work to be done in this area both at the level of the organizations that offer services and with fathers who are often hesitant to ask for help. The financing ofthese services is also often very difficult.
Conclusion
Single-parent families are currently headed by nearly 80% women. Nearly 20% of these families, however, are headed by men. The latter families are more advantaged socio-economically, but seem to experience greater psychological distress.
As the number of single-parent families headed by fathers increases steadily, our society will have to embrace this new reality and take steps to ensure that all members of single-parent families, parents and children, receive the support and attention they need.
