The Implementation of Social Welfare Policy in Taiwan: Regarding Single Parent Families

Abstract

Within members of the global village, affluent or poor nations alike, the family structure has undergone a dramatic change. Taiwan is no exception. In the past, the traditional Taiwanese family secures social order by fusing social forces adhesively. However, accompanied with economic development, feminist movement and population immigration, the traditional Taiwanese family structure has undergone a dramatically change. The traditional family has faced colossal challenges; the increased unwedded mothers, sky-high divorce rate, separated family due to parents working in the both side of the Taiwan Strait. All of these contribute towards making the single parent family as a "social fact" in the trend of Taiwan social change.

Parental happiness and social policy in Asia

“…Moreover, full-time employees in Asia are expected to work long hours irrespective of family status (Chang & England, 2011;OECD, 2016;Tsuya et al, 2000). Alongside these changes has come growth in the number of nuclear and single-parent households as opposed to large traditional extended family households (Barik et al, 2015;Horton, 1996;Kuo et al, 2009;Rajadhyaksha, 2012;Yeung & Park, 2016;Yasuda et al, 2011), creating a shortage of adults available to care for the household. This is especially problematic in places where men's long work hours and reluctance to give up family breadwinning have limited their housework and childcare involvement (Tsuya & Bumpass, 2004;Straughan et al 2008).…”

“…Yet these policy changes have not had any great impact on fertility (McDonald, 2006;Jones 2019). Since the evidence of serious work and family conflict is now accumulating across Asian countries, policies that focus on reforming social institutions to better balance work and family responsibilities might enhance fertility by alleviating negative stressors that contribute to lower levels of happiness among parents (Choo et al, 2016;McDonald, 2006;Kuo et al, 2009;Prachuabmoh & Mithranon, 2003;Rajadhyaksha, 2012;Straughan et al, 2008;Tsuya et al, 2000).…”

Towards integrated care in Taiwan: local issues, international challenges

“…These groups include older people, people with disabilities, people with social service needs on low incomes, and veterans (retired military personnel who do not have other forms of financial or family support). The family are expected to provide social care and support for people not covered by these arrangements, such as by using the private or independent sector which normally requires people to pay for their care (Kuo et al, 2009). The expansion of Taiwan's social services has largely developed on the back of the political promises made by candidates from different parties during election campaigns.…”

A study of non-government child welfare services in Taiwan focused on children in need of child welfare service intervention

“…This reflection means that when the family face unexpected events, they will have difficulties requesting help from their relatives. This finding does not mean that children in these families are absolutely vulnerable although it does reflect the concerns of child welfare practitioners that some of these families (single-parent families and grandparenting families) have significant difficulties in offering proper care-giving arrangements to their children (Kuo & Wu, 2003). …”