Territory Stories

Somerville news

Details:

Title

Somerville news

Other title

Somerville Community Services Incorporated newsletter

Creator

Somerville Community Services Incorporated

Collection

Somerville news; E-Journals; PublicationNT; Somerville news

Date

2012-02-01

Location

Wagaman

Notes

This publication contains many links to external sites. These external sites may no longer be active.; Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).

Language

English

Subject

Somerville Community Services; Family services, Northern Territory; People with disabilities; Services for, Northern Territory; Periodicals

Publisher name

Somerville Community Services Incorporated

Place of publication

Wagaman

Series

Somerville news

Volume

Newsletter, February 2012

File type

application/pdf

Use

Copyright

Copyright owner

Somerville Community Services Incorporated

License

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042

Parent handle

https://hdl.handle.net/10070/271912

Citation address

https://hdl.handle.net/10070/432104

Page content

SOMERVIL LE NEWS Page 10 Compared with other family types, single-parent families are considered to be at higher risk of disadvantage (income, housing, employment, social participation). 25% of all households in the Northern Territory are singleparent families (the highest proportion in Australia - ABS report May 2011). The percentage varies significantly between towns and suburbs. For example, Fannie Bay has one of the highest single-parent households at 35%. Financial Hardship Life events such as loss of a partner through death or separation can affect all members of a family. In particular, single-parent families frequently face financial hardship following separation. This can continue for many years and less income or low income has consistently been shown to result in poor family outcomes. Stress Custody and access stemming from separation or divorce can be particularly stressful for parents. With the demands of a household now falling on the shoulders of one parent instead of two, the single-parent is often subject to ongoing high levels of stress. Stress is correlated with less positive interactions, less nurturing, and poorer communications between parents and children. Isolation Single-parents may also find themselves isolated from support, particularly in daily living, especially if they previously relied on the other partner to care for their children whilst the other parent was at work. Employment Employment prospects as well as employment capacity, changes in the structure of the family, loss of a second household income and mental health wellbeing, all contribute to single-household families being disadvantaged in regards to long-term outcomes. Children Research on the consequences of single-parent families suggests children of single parent families are more likely to be impoverished, to do poorly in school and have emotional and behavioural problems. In addition, these negative effects are often not short-term but carry into adulthood and may manifest themselves in problems in relationships and occupation. Gender Both genders are equally affected by changes in the family structure, including access to children. Men as well as women want to have the privilege to spend time with their children. Single parenting has evolved to include male parents and acknowledge a fathers role in a single-parent household. Somerville Somervilles Family Services Programs offers free counselling and support to families and individuals. When women and men can access support and information that is relevant to their own experience, they are often able to transform their lives. To meet with a Somerville counsellor or family support worker, please contact either: Darwin Office 8920 4100 Palmerston Office 8935 1500 Katherine office 8972 5100. Christine Karageorgiou Family Counsellor/ Family Support Worker SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES Family Services Single-parents represent a high proportion of Somervilles Family Service clients