Psychological aftermath: Exploring the role of the woman as a leader in the Greek monoparental family: Review

Abstract

Objective: To reassess the social problem of the socially vulnerable group named women leaders of monoparental families in terms of legislation, allowance policy and job benefits, among others. Design: Systematic review. Data sources: 18 electronic and book references as well as high impact journals without geographical restriction up to December 2011 were gathered from International organisations including the EU and OECD. Review methods: A reviewer applied inclusion criteria and extracted data from the latest available reports on monoparental families of Eurostat and OECD. The data came from low-, middle-, and high-income countries. Statistical rates for the proportion of the monoparental families on an international level as well as their possibility of falling below the limit of poverty were employed. Comparison was drawn between two countries under Troika’s surveillance. Results: The search identified 2 scientific researches pertaining to the hardships women as leaders of monoparental families encounter. One was conducted from the Research Center for Equality Issues and the other was published in the journal the Rostrum of Asclepius. All outcomes were self reported. It was found that the most severe problems that women as leaders of monoparental families encounter are health ones, the caring and guarding of their children as well as their professional settlement. Yet, the most vital one is the lack of allowance policy. This approach bears fruits in Ireland. It is mandatory that allowance policy along with implementation of other social structures to form a basis for the support of the monoparental families. Conclusion: Future policy concerning monoparental families must focus on establishing legislation and intervention programs that will assist the woman as a leader of the monoparental family to be assimilated in the society. Allowance policy for the mother/father must be reinforced and not abandoned as it happens nowadays.