Subject: Single parents in Germany don't need a symbolic four euros - they need functioning structures
Dear Ms. Prien,
We from Invest4Kids have daily conversations with parents who want to provide for their children. We see very clearly how big the discrepancy is between political theory and lived reality. Single parents in particular tell us time and again that they are suffering under a system that is supposed to take the pressure off them.
We regularly receive hundreds of messages and comments from mothers who speak openly about their financial and emotional situation. Their experiences show: Despite work, commitment and personal responsibility, the everyday lives of many single parents are still characterized by structural hurdles, overload and a lack of planning security.
1. work at the limit - lack of relief despite own initiative
Many single parents do far more than one person can do in the long term. They work part-time, often in a part-time job, and at the same time bear sole responsibility for the household and children. State support rarely comes into play and the bureaucracy takes up additional time and energy.
"As a single mom, without support from the children's father, I can only confirm that single parents are not supported. I work the maximum amount of part-time hours that I can with my children, and I also have a mini-job that I do in the evening when the children are asleep, working from home - without which it wouldn't work at all."
Despite this commitment, there is often hardly any wiggle room at the end of the month. The feeling of toiling away without making any progress characterizes many lives.
2. lack of care structures and increasing burden
In addition to the financial challenges, the reality of childcare is also a key problem. Many parents report unreliable opening hours, frequent sickness absences and staff shortages in daycare centers. This turns paid work into a daily uncertainty.
"I don't need handouts from the state. I need time to work. Either fathers must be obliged to take care of their children or the kindergarten must finally function reliably."
The rising cost of childcare is also an additional burden for single parents.
"Child benefit increases and daycare fees at the same time"
Reliable, affordable and high-quality childcare is a prerequisite for parents to be able to work. This basic requirement is currently not met in many places.
3. four euros more child benefit - no real relief
The recently planned increase in child benefit by four euros is perceived by almost all single parents as pure symbolic policy. In the vast majority of cases, it will not lead to any actual relief because the sum will be neutralized by offsetting it against the maintenance advance or other benefits.
"I don't think a single mother with maintenance advance gets anything from the increase, as it is offset."
"If child benefit goes up, the maintenance advance goes down! Single parents without support fall by the wayside!"
The result is paradoxical: in practice, a statutory increase does not lead to any improvement in the living situation. In some cases, support is even lower than before.
This practice is an example of how well-intentioned measures lose their effect if they are not thought of systemically. Relief that does not reach everyday life is no relief at all.
4 Structural disadvantages and poverty in old age
In the long term, this system means that single parents have little chance of building up reserves or providing for their old age. Many are unable to work more hours because there is no childcare. At the same time, a higher income is directly subject to deductions.
"You are forced to work less so as not to be 'punished'. Nobody thinks about the fact that you can hardly pay anything into your own pension and that poverty in old age is virtually pre-programmed."
Added to this is the unequal valuation of care work: mothers who raise children and thus secure the future of this country are at an economic disadvantage.
"We are raising the children for the future, who pay into the outdated and completely obsolete pension fund. But we ourselves don't get any compensation for taking care of them - and if we work part-time, we are more or less penalized, even though we do the most important work there is as moms."
5. housing shortage and lack of planning security
Many single parents report that they cannot find an apartment despite their income. Landlords often turn them down, and rising rents make family life in a small space a permanent burden.
"I can't find an apartment!!! Single parent with twins. Been looking for an affordable apartment for 5 years."
Housing is the basis for stability and participation - for children too. If even this is not guaranteed, social equality becomes an empty phrase.
6. summary
The feedback from our community paints a clear picture:
There is no lack of motivation or responsibility, but rather a lack of political framework conditions that enable parents to carry both - work and family.
The current system is too complicated, too inflexible and too unrealistic. We need a family policy that not only provides symbolic relief, but actually works.
Our demands
- Reform credit systems:
An increase in child benefit must not lead to cuts in other benefits. Any financial relief must be felt by families. - Securing childcare instead of symbolic politics:
Investment in staff, infrastructure and all-day care is the key to enabling parents to work. - Recognize care work:
Parental work is a social benefit. It must be taken into account in pensions, taxes and social security. - Reduce bureaucracy:
Access to benefits such as education and participation must be simplified and accelerated. - Adapt parental allowance to the reality of life:
Parental allowance has not been increased since its introduction in 2007. A regular adjustment to inflation and real wage trends is necessary in order to provide parents with realistic relief and restore the original objective of parental allowance. - Secure housing:
Single parents need priority in social housing and fair rental conditions in order to offer their children stability.
Closing words
Every day, single parents do what is meant to be done by two people. They hold families, education and the world of work together - often without support. It is the task of politicians to recognize this reality and create framework conditions that do not punish their achievements, but make them possible.
On behalf of the many mothers and fathers who share their experiences every day in our community,
The Invest4Kids team
