Chapter 13: Support for Single Mothers in Different Welfare States: Lithuanian Single Mothers in Germany, Norway, and the UK

Single mothers are among the poorest families in the EU, particularly in Lithuania, leading many to emigrate and further challenging their and their children’s well-being. This chapter examines the migration experiences of Lithuanian single mothers, driven by limited state support, low wages, and insufficient childcare in a highly familialized and commodified welfare system. Seeking better socio-economic conditions, many migrate to countries like Germany, Norway, and the UK. While migration offers improved economic prospects, challenges remain. Norway stands out for its comprehensive family policies, with a strong push for labor market participation, while Germany and the UK provide moderate support, with the UK offering easier welfare access and comparatively higher decommodification. However, in all countries, there is a tendency to tie single mothers more closely to the labor market. The findings highlight the need for both defamilializing and decommodifying policy tools to better protect single mothers from poverty, alongside better information channels for immigrants.