One child in four being brought up by lone parent

One child in four in Northern Ireland is being brought up by a lone parent and is twice as likely to be poor as a child from a two parent family, new research has revealed.

'From Strength to Strength', a report published today by lone parent support organisation, Gingerbread NI and the University of Ulster, looked at the emotional, financial and educational experiences of young people growing up in one parent families.

In the report families describe their struggle to overcome disadvantage and challenge the stereotypes of one parent families which they believe still exist.

One of the report authors, Dr Anne Marie Gray, from the School of Policy Studies at the University of Ulster said: “The findings reveal that although many schools are supportive of children from one parent families, children and parents can feel stigmatised.

“Parents also worry that their children may be denied opportunities such as third level education because of their financial circumstances.”

The report was launched by the report the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Nigel Williams at a special event hosted by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Martin Morgan.

(MB)