In 2022 the Council of Single Mothers and their Children began conceptualising advocacy for teenage children of single mothers as a strategic priority. This work was undertaken in voluntary hours and without funding. In 2023, with a small grant, we undertook a survey of young people aged between 12 and 22 who live or have experience of living with a single mother. 80 respondents highlighted the impacts of living under the umbrella of the two key realities of single mother households – that is, one less adult impacts on the mother’s time, and the greater majority of these families experienced financial hardship. These two factors greatly influenced what these young people were calling for:
Surprisingly only 10% accessed supports online and the majority of that was for the purpose of socialising.
To better understand what these themes looked like in the eyes of the children themselves, we received funding from the Brian M Davis Charitable Foundation to conduct a series of paid focus group within this cohort to discuss further.
We have conducted 5 face to face and 4 online focus groups around Victoria to discuss these themes further, with most participants being aged 16–18yrs. Our research has given us a greater insight into the experiences of children of single mother households from life skills, dealing with societal stigmas, close sibling bonds, to inconsistent supports from police, schools and departments who focus more on policy and procedures than the actual needs of the children themselves.
Our face to face focus groups took us to Central Victoria, Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula, and the inner west of Melbourne. Participants gathered in libraries, a youth centre, a college, and a school for young mothers. Online focus groups attracted participants from all over Melbourne, Ballarat and Sale.
Most focus groups took up to two hours and we paid each participant $50 an hour for their time and expertise.
Juanita McLaren
Research Lead, Council of Single Mothers and their Children
Juanita has been working as a researcher and advocate for single mothers and women’s financial security for the last 12 years. She works brings together her lived experience and a Master of International Community Development to call for a ground up approach to policy using the voices impacted by it.
Zali Harris
Youth Consultant, Council of Single Mothers and their Children
Zali is completing a dual Master’s degree in Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Aus.) and World Heritage Studies (Ger.) During her voluntary work at Council of Single Mothers and their Children helped conceive a youth centred project. She has co-led focus groups with Juanita.
Andi Sebastian
Communication & Policy Coordinator, Council of Single Mothers and their Children
Andi has long been interested in the challenges facing teenage children of single mothers, their strengths and their thoughts about systemic support. Her background includes a Masters in Primary Health Care
