This organisation was formed when two charities, Gingerbread and One Parent Families, merged. They exist to promote the welfare and independence of lone parents.
One Parent Families|Gingerbread believes they can build a fairer society for all families, in which lone parents and their children are not disadvantaged and do not suffer from poverty, isolation, or social exclusion. [Mission Report]
As someone raised in a one parent family during the late 70’s and 80’s my mother and myself faced a lot of stigma. It seems there is a certain sort of people who just love to blame all the ills of society on people who either chose, or are forced, to raise children alone. Be it increase in drugs, crime or poverty, for some people it is all laid at the foot of the increase in single parent families.
My mother faced a lot of abuse locally, as did I when I was at school. I remember being called names on the street and in the playground on numerous occasion. The worst abuse, I hate to say, came from people who should have known better - intelligent adults. Single parent families were often excluded from tax breaks, or general government legislation.
There is no denying the fact that life was difficult for my Mum, but despite that I had a wonderful and happy childhood.
I support Gingerbread this year, because it is one of the few charities that stand up for the rights of single parents, and their children. They are there for people who are forced or chose to raise children alone. Whether they are lone parents through death, divorce of abandonment or simply chose to raise their children alone, the same level of support is available to them. It is a magnificant support network that is frequently overlooked.
I chose this charity in 2007, and will continue to blog for them in 2008. This is the first time I have utilised the same charity for two years in a row, but it is a charity close to my heart and who were generous with their time in assisting me with this project. It is wonderful when a charity takes an interest in the endeavours of people participating in the blogathon, and for that alone they won my loyalty for another year.