KWDI Korean Women’s Development Institute

This research examined the current state and problems of networks to support single-parent families and presented measures for operating networks to provide customized support and integrated service in response to policy demands for single-parent families. To this end, we conducted a literature review and secondary data analysis, and to identify the current state of networks, carried out a survey using questionnaire, network analysis, held conferences and interviews with the people concerned.

The analysis of the demands for supporting single-parent families showed that there were different demands as well as common demands for the support depending on family types and income brackets. To meet the different demands according to the family types and income brackets of single-parent families, networks need to be facilitated

The analysis of the current state of operating networks to support single-parent families showed that there were a total of approximately 90 network institutions, a total of 402 networking times, and 5.9 networking times per institution. There were big differences in the total number of network institutions, the total number of networks, and the number of networks per institution between the institutions surveyed. The comparison of the distribution of the total network institutions and institution types showed that networks were not evenly established among areas when the total number of institutions was small. When it comes to the content of networks, exchange of information was made the most. In terms of the direction of networks, there were more cases of requesting networks than receiving them in all areas.

The problems of supporting single-parent families turned out to include: the internal conditions of institutions for network were vulnerable; although the institutions (heads) encouraged participation in network activities, administrative and financial support in the institutions was relatively insufficient; as the staff lacked awareness and competencies of network and had weak identities and professionalism on the case management of single-parent families, so it worked as barrier factors to facilitate networks; as the proportion of basic projects was high, the staff were heavily burdened with work when performing network activities. Because of this, they tended to be reluctant to take part in projects that are inconsistent with the character and content of their institutions.

In spite of all these problems, the support centers need networks with external institutions in order to comprehensively provide services and meet the demands of single-parent families. They should also operate networks in the direction of promoting the use of internal resources of the centers and external resources of other institutions. At the same time, the basis for operation in the organization should be laid to build and operate networks. Also, competencies of the heads of the institutions and the staff should be strengthened.