May 15 once again marks the International Day of Families. A day of celebrations to remind us of the importance of family ties in these often-turbulent times. Over the years, the meaning of the word “family” has broadened, and there are now many different definitions. A painful decision taken in 2022 led me to become a single parent. Let’s take a moment to explore the meaning of single parenthood, a situation increasingly present in Canadian families in 2025.
Some will argue that there are many reasons for breaking up a family, but it’s easy to see that it’s a reversal of fortune that can sometimes be difficult for children. In 2025, this family dynamic still brings its share of challenges. Being deprived of the time you can spend with your children every other week can certainly be a big challenge for some parents. Personally, I’m aware that I’m missing out on half of everything they experience, and that’s not a pleasant feeling. Even so, society will ask a person in this situation to make up for other commitments, including work obligations, while ignoring the fact that the children won’t be at home at the end of a working day.
But what is the world of work like for a single parent? Unfortunately, this is a question that employers are still struggling to come to grips with in 2025. Sometimes we have to explain why we have to finish work early to pick up the kids. Or we may have to justify the fact that we’re the only ones who can get to their medical appointments. We won’t be able to take part in certain important events or gatherings, because we’re THE parent responsible for our children’s well-being on that one week out of two when we’re lucky enough to have the most precious thing in the world with us.
In the public arena, single parenthood is not yet well recognized, and the treatment it receives is still very mixed. One in three families is classified as a single parent in Quebec, and nearly one in 5 in Canada as a whole. Perhaps it’s finally time to stop and ask ourselves how we can help all these important people to evolve together in a better world.
Respectfully submitted by,
UVAE’s National Human Rights Committee