AIBU to think being a lone parent should be a protected characteristic?

[neednotknow]

I dont know if this is controversial or not but I see that there's a lot of discrimination against lone parents when trying to engage with services.

There's a sigma and the assumption that you've failed in life if you end up living as a lone adult with your child but there are lots of reasons why it may happen.

While people are entitled to have their personal opinions, I don't think organisations/businesses should be allowed to indirectly discriminate based on whether a child has two or one resident parents.

(I would include men and women in that definition.)

I'm respectfully open to debate on this. Its more a rail against bureaucracy than anything else.

How are we discriminated against?

How would you define it when there is shared custody etc?

Maybe I'm thinking that its the child being discriminated against rather than the parent which is unfair.

What discrimination have you found op?

Genuine question. I've been a lone parent for nearly two years and haven't really noticed any. If anything people have been very supportive.

Obviously there's the financial implications. Is that what you mean?

@TapeMeasureBlues I'm not sure thats a good question. If the shared custody is fully equal, then I suppose it would be with the parent who lived at the child's permanent address.

In practice anything which discriminates against lone parents will normally be found to be indirect discrimination against women, so you can take that approach.

Do you mean things such as companies offering mother/father day offers where another adult has to be present. That one annoys me, I don’t have another adult.

I think you need to be more specific.

@TapeMeasureBlues

How would you define it when there is shared custody etc?

This was exactly what I was going to ask.

How is your child being discriminated against?
I would say in modern society children from split homes ( or other reason why there may only be 1 parent) is increasingly common. I dont think kids or those in child based roles would bat an eyelid at it.

What situation would the child be in?

See both parents equally. Or doesn't see one at all. 80:20 arrangement?

I know people who describe themselves as single parents and have their kids 2 nights a month.

Or travel for work, so don't see them for weeks and then have them for 2/3 weeks at a time.

I'm trying to think of an non outing example... wasn't sure whether to start a thread without one but I thought it was an interesting topic.

I’m not sure. Is there really a stigma these days? Given the 50% divorce rate I’m surprised, and it certainly isn’t an issue on my radar.

A protected characteristic has to be permanent so no. Many lone parents meet other partners and some remarry.

@nunamenuyear good point!

So you can't give examples but feel it's happening often enough it's really impacting your kids?

@SalsaLove I think it depends on how much money you have much as anything.

No not my children... but people i know and know of.

I've not come across any discrimination personally.

How would any business know if you are a single parent? Or the child of a single parent? It's none of their concern. Just don't tell them.

In 13 years I've had one sniffy comment about being a single mum from an ex-colleague, and she wasn't anyone worth listening to.

The only discrimination I can think of, is that single parent households start to lose their child benefit at £50k while dual income households keep it until £100k.

It’s not controversial in the sense that you’re the first person to suggest it but some specifics would be helpful.

@FAQs yes those type of scenarios while there's a default rule in place but not consideration for people that may not fit the default value ...those type of 'computer says no' to bust out an old phrase

For people to answer your question you need to give examples.

As you can't give any then I think you are talking shit.

Lots of discrimination in this country is class-based including someone presumed class.

If your talking about the financial stress and the increasing number of children falling below the poverty line then yes I agree it is tough. However that is something that needs to be addressed by hings like universal credit and putting proper support networks in place rather then a discrimination issue.

@neednotknow

I'm trying to think of an non outing example... wasn't sure whether to start a thread without one but I thought it was an interesting topic.

Given that over 40% of UK children are in single parent families I'm sure the discrimination you've faced won't out you.

A protected characteristic has to be permanent so no.

No, it doesn't. Disability does not have to be permanent.

OP female lone parents already have protection under the provisions for indirect sex discrimination.

As a PP said, most lone parents are women so you could take that approach (protected characteristic of sex).