Social and Professional Support for Single-Parent Families: Urban–Rural Disparities in Perceptions of Inclusion Policies

Introduction. Single-parent families, a vulnerable social group, face unique challenges in urban and rural areas, including economic hardship, limited professional opportunities, and social marginalization. The effectiveness of public policies and support programs in mitigating these risks varies depending on the social and geographical context, underscoring the need for tailored interventions.

Methods. The study employed a self-developed 22-item questionnaire administered to ninety-five respondents from both urban and rural areas of Romania. The instrument assessed access to, relevance of, and effectiveness of social inclusion policies, social support services, and professional support programs targeting single parents. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, normality tests, the Mann–Whitney U test, and Chi-square tests.

Results. The findings revealed significant urban–rural differences related to belief in social inclusion policies, accessibility of support services, and the availability of professional training opportunities. Urban respondents tended to be more critical but acknowledged the existence of specific services, while rural participants reported more acute deficiencies, emphasizing a lack of resources and opportunities. The most common barriers found included bureaucratic procedures, stigmatization, and insufficient specialized services. Moreover, respondents perceived professional support measures, such as career counseling and flexible employment, as inadequate, with rural participants expressing higher levels of dissatisfaction.

Conclusions. The results underscore the potential impact of tailored policy measures on the specific challenges of urban and rural environments. Priority actions should include expanding psychosocial counseling, strengthening professional training programs, promoting flexible employment opportunities, and fostering closer cooperation between employers and public authorities. Reducing territorial disparities is essential to ensure fair access to social and professional support for single-parent families and to foster their full social inclusion.