Challenges and Resources of Single Mothers by Choice in Helsinki, Finland
Golash, Deepti; Turkulainen, Tiia (2018)
Golash, Deepti
Turkulainen, Tiia
Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu
2018
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201805026159
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201805026159
Tiivistelmä
Abstract
Golash, Deepti and Turkulainen, Tiia. Challenges and Resources of Single Mothers by Choice in Helsinki, Finland. 61 pages. 3 appendices. Language: English. Helsinki, Spring 2018. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. Degree Programme in Social Services. Degree: Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) + Qualification for the Office of Diaconia Worker in the Church of Finland.
The primary aim of the research was to determine the challenges faced by single mothers by choice in the Helsinki metropolitan area and in turn enlist the resources that the mothers had available. A secondary aim was to uncover gaps in services and propose improvements or development of new services to better serve this client group.
In order to accomplish this aim, a qualitative research was carried out using semi-structured interviewing techniques. The eight research participants came from a monthly peer support group for single mothers by choice held at Pitäjänmäki church in the Pohjois-Haaga area of Helsinki. A total of six mothers were interviewed; in addition to the parish child welfare worker and City of Helsinki family social worker who lead the group. The collected interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis methods.
One of the main challenges the mothers faced was the lack of information and advertising about available services so that there is a disconnect between service users and service providers. Lack of consistency in information delivery by the maternity clinics and lack of peer support during pregnancy were also mentioned as vital challenges. In terms of resources, they mentioned peer support groups as being an important resource not only for themselves but also for their children, so that the children would not feel alone in the future with regards to their origin.
The City of Helsinki’s home child care services and sleep coaching for parent and child as part of the family welfare services were described as instrumental to the family’s health and well-being in addition to local family activities and events organized by public parks, parishes and not-for-profit family welfare organizations.
In conclusion, they advised future single mothers by choice to build a good support network to help them in their parenting journey and urged them not to wait for the perfect partner or the biological clock to run out, if they feel the call to motherhood. The single mothers by choice felt that no challenge could compare with the joy of being a parent.
Key words: single parent, single mothers by choice, donor insemination, challenges, resources, peer support
Golash, Deepti and Turkulainen, Tiia. Challenges and Resources of Single Mothers by Choice in Helsinki, Finland. 61 pages. 3 appendices. Language: English. Helsinki, Spring 2018. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. Degree Programme in Social Services. Degree: Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) + Qualification for the Office of Diaconia Worker in the Church of Finland.
The primary aim of the research was to determine the challenges faced by single mothers by choice in the Helsinki metropolitan area and in turn enlist the resources that the mothers had available. A secondary aim was to uncover gaps in services and propose improvements or development of new services to better serve this client group.
In order to accomplish this aim, a qualitative research was carried out using semi-structured interviewing techniques. The eight research participants came from a monthly peer support group for single mothers by choice held at Pitäjänmäki church in the Pohjois-Haaga area of Helsinki. A total of six mothers were interviewed; in addition to the parish child welfare worker and City of Helsinki family social worker who lead the group. The collected interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis methods.
One of the main challenges the mothers faced was the lack of information and advertising about available services so that there is a disconnect between service users and service providers. Lack of consistency in information delivery by the maternity clinics and lack of peer support during pregnancy were also mentioned as vital challenges. In terms of resources, they mentioned peer support groups as being an important resource not only for themselves but also for their children, so that the children would not feel alone in the future with regards to their origin.
The City of Helsinki’s home child care services and sleep coaching for parent and child as part of the family welfare services were described as instrumental to the family’s health and well-being in addition to local family activities and events organized by public parks, parishes and not-for-profit family welfare organizations.
In conclusion, they advised future single mothers by choice to build a good support network to help them in their parenting journey and urged them not to wait for the perfect partner or the biological clock to run out, if they feel the call to motherhood. The single mothers by choice felt that no challenge could compare with the joy of being a parent.
Key words: single parent, single mothers by choice, donor insemination, challenges, resources, peer support