Advantages for single-parent families: Senate proposals tested in a commune in Île de France

Les mères et les pères isolés pourront bénéficier de la mesure. (ILLUSTRATION) MAXPPP – Laurence Mouton

Il y a quelques mois, le jeudi 28 mars, la délégation aux droits des femmes du sénat avait proposé une carte de "famille monoparentale". La commune de l’Essonne a décidé de prendre les choses en mains et va ouvrir 21 droits spécifiques aux familles monoparentales.

While waiting for parliamentarians to vote for a law that aims to create a universal status for single parents, the municipality of Ris-Orangis has adopted a municipal status for single parents.

In France, one in four families is a single parent. In Ris-Orangis, 1,707 families are considered single parents out of the 5,536 families living there, according to INSEE in 2020"I am glad that the municipality of Ris-Orangis is highlighting single parents. Creating a status is a good idea. We need psychological support, to feel listened to. Our children have no one but us“, explains a mother of three children in the columns of the newspaper Le Parisien.

The measures put in place

The ideas proposed by the Senate women's rights delegations aimed to combat isolation and stigmatization of parents "solo". A doubling of leave, easier access to leisure, social housing, and childcare solutions are among the proposals put forward.

Several measures that will be implemented in Ris-Orangis are similar to the proposals presented to the Senate, starting with the creation of a map "single-parent family". Beneficiaries will have easier allocation of places in municipal crèches, reception points to be informed of their rights, a specific route.

"Some time ago, I had to have an operation with general anesthesia. I was supposed to stay one night in the hospital, but there was no question of leaving my children at home alone. So I came home a few hours later and managed it on my own, as usual, testifies a mother of four children.

Faced with this type of situation, the municipality wants to provide a space to allow parents to “breathe”. She thus hopes "to encourage the right to respite" for single parents.