Family patterns have evolved in Europe over the last few decades.
While the number of marriages has decreased, separations and divorces
are on the rise. As a result, a growing number of children live
in blended or single-parent families, with an obligation for the
parent who does not have the day-to-day care responsibilities to
contribute financially to their upbringing.
As the overwhelming majority of single-parent families in
Europe are headed by a woman, child maintenance is not a gender
neutral matter. On the contrary, it is very relevant to gender equality.
Non-compliance with child maintenance payment affects women disproportionately
and adds to the inequalities that women still face in the workplace,
including the remuneration gap and difficult career development.
Single-parent families are at particular risk of poverty and child
All single-parent families should have access to child maintenance.
A “culture of paying” should be promoted in the member States. In
case of non-payment, or partial or delayed payments, the public
authorities should subrogate the payer parent (and subsequently
claim the reimbursement of the sums paid from them). In addition,
intentional payment avoidance should be adequately investigated,
as it may amount to a form of psychological violence.
Lastly, in view of the considerable share of binational marriages
and relationships, international judicial co-operation should be
strengthened to ensure the payment and recovery of child maintenance.