"From a social policy perspective, single parents - for the most part single mothers - are an important target group. Being solely in charge of both providing for the family's livelihood as well as parental care, the extent to which they can be gainfully employed is often restricted. Their financial situation is often precarious, which is reflected by a four times higher welfare benefit rate of single parent households compared to average households. Based on recent research, the report at hand examines employment and living conditions of single mothers, in particular of recipients of unemployment benefit II (Arbeitslosengeld II). Focusing on this group of single mothers receiving basic income support for needy jobseekers, their labor market participation, work motivation as well as factors associated with the duration of benefit receipt is of paramount interest. Overall results indicate a high labor market orientation of single mothers. Compared to partnered mothers dependent on welfare, single mothers more frequently seek for a job and take up employment. Being employed is an essential aspect of their per-sonal conception of life. Due to various factors though, like a shortage of childcare services, limited demand for labor, or a need to stabilize the family's living conditions, occupational aspirations often cannot be realized. Single mothers most frequently take up marginal jobs, which rarely - even less so compared to partnered mothers - enable them to exit welfare. Besides occupational qualification and experience, the number and age of children significantly impact employment prospects. Adequate childcare services, support of labor market integration as well as family-compatible working conditions are important prerequisites for taking up work, increasing working hours as well as participating in active labor market programs." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
