Abstract: Taiwan's family structure has undergone significant transformation over the past few decades, influenced by modernization, evolving social norms, and economic changes. Traditionally, Taiwan followed a Confucian family model, with multi-generational extended families being the norm. However, since the 1980s, Taiwan has shifted toward a Westernized nuclear family structure, consisting of two parents and their children, driven by economic modernization. This transition has led to more diverse and, at times, fragile family structures, notably an increase in single-parent households, particularly those led by women.

The rise in single-parent households, especially single-mother families, reflects Taiwan’s changing social values, including increased divorce rates. Unfortunately, Taiwanese society continues to stigmatize single mothers, rooted in Confucian ideals that prioritize families often consisting of male-dominated leadership in which single mothers are seen as part of "broken family units." The persistence of Confucian family values in Taiwan continues to influence societal and governmental attitudes toward single-parent households. Single mothers, in particular, often find themselves excluded from welfare programs designed for traditional two-parent families, further deepening their marginalization.  These women not only face social stigma but also substantial challenges like financial hardship and inadequate government support. Such social marginalization significantly affects both the mothers and their children, who are at a heightened risk of economic disadvantage, emotional insecurity, and social isolation. The financial strain on these households often limits children's educational opportunities and emotional well-being. 

While single-father households have historically been more financially stable, recent changes in the labor market have made them increasingly vulnerable. Uneducated single fathers now face significant challenges in securing stable employment, which has led to more significant economic hardship. Additionally, single fathers tend to be less involved in their children’s lives, further exacerbating emotional and developmental difficulties for their children. Hence, notwithstanding some gender differences ingrained in the culture, pressure to conform to traditional Taiwanese family structures, combined with inadequate governmental support, makes it difficult for single parents and their children to escape the obstacles of financial hardship, socioeconomic stigma, and educational setbacks.

References

1. Chang, C. (1995, Aug.). Singled Out for Extra Concern–A Look at One Parent Homes. Taiwan-Panorama.com. 

2. Cheng, Y. A. (2020, Sept). Changing families in contemporary Taiwan. Taiwan Insight. https://taiwaninsight.org/2020/09/08/changing-families-in-conteporary-taiwan/

3. Cheng, Y, A. (2016). More education, fewer divorces? Shifting education differentials of divorce in Taiwan from 1975 to 2010. Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 34(33), pp. 927-942.

4. Cheng, Y. A., & Wu, F. F. (2016). Going It Alone and Adrift: The Socioeconomic Profile and Parental Involvement of Single-Father and Single-Mother Families in Post-Industrial Taiwan. Journal of Population Research, vol. 33(2), pp. 147–72. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43919994. 

5. Hong, Rei-Mei (2011) The lived experience of being a sole mother in Taiwan. PhD thesis, Queensland University of Technology.

6. Hsiao, V., Chen, S., & Withers, M. (2019). Understanding perspectives and lived experiences of at-risk Taiwanese teenage boys through photovoice. *Journal of Global Health Science*, 1(2), e40. https://doi.org/10.35500/jghs.2019.1.e40

7. Hsueh, J., Cai, L., & Keng, C. (2020). Single-parent families in Taiwan. The Institute for Family Studies. https://ifstudies.org/blog/single-parent-families-in-taiwan-

8. Lai, H. J. (2022). Social stigma and management strategies of unmarried single mothers in Taiwan. Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development, 32:1, 38–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/02185385.2021.1934098

9. Lee, Ming-shan. (2021). On the Margins of the Nuclear Family: Single-Parenthood Stigma in Taiwan. Taiwaninsight.org.https://taiwaninsight.org/2021/01/25/on-the-margins-of-the-nuclear-family-single-parenthood-stigma-in-taiwan/ 

10. Lee, Ming-Yu (2001) What is the impact of a Confucian welfare regime upon lone mothers in Taiwan? PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

11. Yang, Li-Ling. (2008, Sept.). The Life Stories of Motherhood Among Divorced Women in Taiwan. Journal of Nursing Research 16(3):p 220-230. | DOI: 10.1097/01.JNR.0000387309.19493.b0