Listening to children: gaining a perspective of the experiences of poverty and social exclusion from children and young people of single-parent families

Abstract

This paper reports on the experiences and views of children and young people of single-parent families, as findings from a European Union-funded research project undertaken in England, Greece and Cyprus. The objectives of the research project were to investigate how children and young people of single-parent families understand and experience their worlds as members of these families: whether and to what extent they experience poverty and social exclusion and how they cope with the challenges that this confronts them with. Methodology was replicated in each of the countries; however, this paper draws on the English experiences. Semistructured interviews (40) and focus groups (four) were undertaken with children of single parents. In addition, focus groups were undertaken with children of two-parent families (four), focus groups with single parents, focus groups with two-parent families (four) and individual interviews with key professionals. Detailed discussion guides were followed, with open-ended questions to allow participants to express their feelings and ideas in their own words. The research sample included children from single-parent and two-parent families, aged 6 years to 16 years, balanced in terms of age, gender and geographical location. Findings demonstrate the children's and young people's understanding of the impact of poverty and social exclusion on their family life and their everyday experiences. The positive benefits of being in a single-parent family are highlighted, with 'time poverty' raised as a significant issue. Children and young people are aware of their poverty and how it influences exclusion from friendships, play, leisure and community activities. Policy needs to take account of the systematic reality of children's experiences; alliances with adults that support meaningful involvement and participation by children and young people will make a significant contribution to this.

Leisure Sport Participation in Cyprus

“…These results quantitatively reflect the qualitative results found in Walker et al (2008). In regards to these findings it is understood that the socio-economic conditions of the Cypriots in this current study may influence their leisure behaviours.…”

“…However, Bathrellou et al warn that their comparative research of urban and rural children did not examine the possible effects of socio-economic class or urbanization. Walker, Crawford, and Taylor (2008), on the other hand, do provide research examining the effects of socio-economic class on children's leisure sport participation.…”

Championing Choice—Lessons Learned from Children and Young People About Research and Their Involvement

“…Where participants are accessed through organisational settings, such as schools and other human services access has to be negotiated to determine the way that potential research participants will be approached and invited to participate. Our experience has been similar to other children's researchers (Christensen and Prout 2002;O'Brien and Moules 2007;Punch 2002;Walker et al 2008) and observe that these 'gatekeepers' often come in the guise of ethics committees and organisations through which children and young people are accessed as well as parents and carers. From our experience it is clear that gatekeepers both family members and practitioners exercise substantial influence on whether children and young people are given the opportunity to give their consent to participate in research and, where opportunities might be made available, how this works.…”

How Single-Parent Children Speak About Poverty and Social Exclusion: Policy Implications From a Comparative, Qualitative, Cross-National Project

“…This article addresses social exclusion and poverty in relation to single-parent families and their children in particular by focusing on children's own perspectives and experiences (see Walker, Crawford, & Taylor 2008 for a presentation of the findings from the United Kingdom). It is based on a comparative research project with the same focus carried out in Cyprus, Greece, and the United Kingdom.…”