Based on a long-term study of the policies of seven European nations towards lone mothers, this book reveals the contrasting attitudes in Europe today towards lone motherhood. The contributors examine the specific categorisation and treatment of lone mothers as well as the problems created by the obvious conflict in the parent-worker role.

Jane Lewis was Professor of Social Policy at the London School of Economics until 1996, and is currently a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, She is the author of many books and articles, including (editor) Women and Social Policies in Europe (1993) and, with Kathleen Kiernan and Hilary Land, Lone Mothers in Twentieth Century Britain: from footnote to front page (1998).

Introduction, Jane Lewis, All Souls College, Oxford, with Barbara Hobson, Stockholm University.1. Lone Mothers in Germany Before and After Unification, Ilona Ostner, University of Gottingen. 2. Lone Mothers: The British Case, Jane Lewis, All Souls College, Oxford. 3. Lone Mothers: the Case of Ireland, Pauline Conroy, Social Science Research Centre (UCD). 4. Lone Mothers in the Netherlands, Jet Bussemaker, Free University, Amsterdam, Annemieke van Drenth, Leiden University, Trudie Knijn and Janneke Plantenga, University of Utrecht. 5. The Parent-Worker Model: Lone Mothers in Sweden, Barbara Hobson and Mieko Takahasi, Stockholm University. 6. Dilemmas of Citizenship in Denmark: Lone Mothers Between Work and Care, Birte Siim, Aalborg University. 7. Lone Mothers in Italy: a Hidden and Embarrassing Issue in a Familist Welfare Regime, Franca Bimbi, University of Padova. The Contributors. Subject Index. Author Index.