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Single parent one day, but not always! Although they have to deal with many difficulties (and obstacles) on a daily basis, single mothers and fathers nonetheless remain open to new romantic and/or intimate perspectives. A real challenge for some, whether due to a lack of time, the stress generated by meeting new people, or the daily mental load induced by single parenthood, as revealed by a recent survey.
Difficulties making ends meet and reconciling family and professional life, increased mental workload… The daily life of single parents is far from easy. How can we reconnect with love, if not consider intimate relationships, in such a complicated context? This is the question that was asked to 1,000 single French parents as part of a survey carried out by Even with Ipsos Digital, which tells us that one in two respondents want to find love again, but that more than half ‘among them are (also) afraid of confronting such a situation.
Managing alone the children, shopping, cleaning, among other things, not to mention professional life which, in itself, takes up most of the day: being a parent is not an easy task, but being a parent solo is arguably even more exhausting – physically and mentally – on a daily basis. So what about new romantic encounters? Most of them are not ready to give it up despite the obstacles encountered. More than one in two single parents (59%) say they want to live a love story, including 22% who even say they really want it.
A difficult move to action
The fact remains that taking action seems more complicated than it seems for these single people with child(ren). More than one in two (55%) say they are apprehensive about a possible sexual relationship with a new partner, a quarter of whom are even very apprehensive about it. Reluctance that has an impact on their intimate life. A quarter of the panel estimates that their last sexual encounter was less than three months old, compared to 14% between three and six months, and 16% between six months and a year. Note, however, that almost a third of respondents (31%) say their last sexual relationship was more than a year ago.
Like many single people, single parents are subject to various pressures, particularly social ones. More than half of those surveyed (58%) explain that dating stresses them out, 46% say they feel out of step with their loved ones in a relationship, 45% feel that no one understands their situation as single parents, and 36 % say they feel pressure from their loved ones regarding this same situation. Note, however, that this does not prevent two thirds of respondents (65%) from having the impression of perfectly combining the role of parent and lover.
Love after well-being
The survey highlights the difficulties that these single parents may face, and which can – in part – explain these reservations regarding a new romantic relationship. When asked about their mental workload, 39% of single parents respond that they see themselves as “superwomen” or “supermen”, but a minority also feel overwhelmed (18%), and 34 % believe they are balancing acts. That said, even if they had more time, single parents wouldn’t necessarily devote it to love.
At the question “If you had a magic wand, what would you do in a day that you never have time to do?“, the respondents answered firstly that they would like to take time for themselves (40%). But they would also like to do beauty treatments (35%), go shopping (33%), play a sport (30%), go out with their friends (29%), sleep (28%), do cultural activities (27%), and go to a restaurant (22%) The desire to meet people only comes later (18%). on par with the need to party.
*This study was carried out by Ispos Digital for Even in March 2024 among 1,000 French single parents with children under 18 years old.