English Version

Ημερομηνία August 2, 2007

What is the Pancyprian Association of Single Parent Families?

The Pancyprian Association of Single Parent Families and Friends was founded in May 1995, following an initiative of people that have experienced life as single parents. The guiding principle was to demand in a formal and legal way the solution of their multiple and complex problems. Their efforts are supported from the love and support of friends and other organized groups. The members of the Association come from all socioeconomic classes in Cyprus.

The Association is directed from a Council, that is consisted by 7 members, whom they represent most of the categories of single parents as well as friends of the association.

The Association considers single parents as those that the husband/wife has died, is missing, in prison or deported, as well as individuals who are divorced or non-married and who are responsible for the care of their children.

The term Single Parent Family covers all the families that operate with only one of the two parents. The main reason for the increase of single parent families is the incremental trend of divorces and the increased number of parents (mainly fathers) who refuse to take over their responsibilities towards their children after the divorce.

The problems faced by single parents and their children during the initial phases of their family’s new structure, are usually huge.

Evidently, in all cases (except in the cases of the non-married mothers) parents and children live under the same roof for a period of time prior to becoming a single parent family. The reasons leading to such a change are often unexpected, unpredictable and at times unavoidable. The change may take place instantly, it may be tragic (in cases of sudden death), while at other times it may be time consuming, conflicting and full of pain and bitterness (in cases of divorces and long term diseases leading to death).

Under these circumstances, the single parents raise their children alone, facing a series of problems, which from experience may be classified in three main categories:

  • Financial
  • Psycho-sociological
  • Legal

Links

Activities

  • The Pancyprian Association of Single Parent Families and Friends operate a complete program of a multidimensional support for its members. It provides an individual (counseling) and group (dramatotherapy) support service, while it also organizes seminars, lectures, educational programs as well as entertainment events, such as sponsored vacations etc
  • The Association is in constant contact with parliamentarians of the Committee of Employment and Social Security for further improvement of social aid and other regulations affecting single parents.
  • It cooperates closely and systematically with the appropriate government services.
  • It establishes co operations with other organized groups and bodies that have the same or similar aims.
  • It organizes lectures about psychological, legal and sociological issues that concern its members. Furthermore, it organizes and participates in events promoting its goals.
  • It participates in research projects.
  • The Pancyprian Association of Single Parent Families has managed to secure a number of privileges for the owners of its membership card.

Contact