The possible cuts in benefits to single parents comes at a time when there are no laws in place to make both biological parents financially accountable when it comes to raising the child.

Yes, do curtail abuses, but not just in the case of single parents. Fraud and abuse of social benefits is rampant in various sectors and must be curtailed in all of them... but Mr Fenech, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

It’s not as if single parents are buying luxury homes, luxury cars and designer clothes with the financial benefits they get from the government. The amount that the government gives to single parents does not equate to a living wage. I would dread to live in a country that gives such dismal wages with the present cost of living skyrocketing as it is.

The financial assistance provided by the government helps pay for our children’s stationery, helps pay for their school books, helps pay the rent, helps pay for food, and sometimes, if stretched enough, helps pay for transport – bus tickets or petrol. All this because the other parent does not financially support the child. The financial subsidy given to single parents helps to pay for basic needs. It does not pay for these basic needs in their entirety. If we single parents cannot afford these basic necessities, our nation would have more homeless people and there would be more beggars on our streets. This is the reality we would face if financial benefits to single parents were cut back.

Many children of single parents who have a birth certificate that says ‘Father Unknown’ have such a certificate because the biological father does not acknowledge the child and does not support the child financially. A reduction in single parent benefits will further reduce the child’s financial support throughout its childhood. Many single parents in Malta are mothers. Imagine if all of a sudden mothers stopped acknowledging their children the same way certain fathers do! This would take a heavy toll on our society. In no way do I mean to generalise and paint a picture of dysfunctional dads all round. It’s that anyone with the correct reproductive system can become a father, but taking responsibility for one’s actions, a kind heart and a sense of identity is what it takes to be a consistent and loving parent to support the child throughout their childhood years and to register one’s name in the Father’s column on the birth certificate. These values are lacking in many biological fathers who do not acknowledge their children on the birth certificate. I do believe that if parenting matters were covered in the education system there would be less of the term ‘Father Unknown’ registered on birth certificates. Unfortunately, the topic of parenting is not covered in the early years of the academic syllabus.

In the case of single parents, the other would-be-parent does not pull his/her weight, neither financially nor in practical terms. Let’s say the child is sick and cannot go to school for a week. The responsible parent must take a week off work, which often means that for that week there is no income because, unlike the scenario in which there are two adults responsible for a child, with single parents there is no other adult who can go to work that week. This kind of situation has at times resulted in the single parent losing their job or becoming a less productive employee in the eyes of their boss.

When it comes to single parents we are speaking of a one-income family, very likely with the parent holding part-time employment or does not work due to lack of holistic support and a child’s inherent necessity to be taken care of by an adult. Single parents are people who, no matter what circumstances made them parents, have taken on the responsibility of raising their child.

So seriously Mr Fenech... hands off our children’s well being!

Rebecca Borg

BIRKIRKARA