Being an unmarried mother in Malta

Abstract

How does it feel to be an unmarried mother in Malta? How do people and society at large look upon a woman in this condition? In our society, where marriage, the family, legitimate children, are still very highly regarded as basic to society and as morally right, being an unmarried mother is a condition requiring social work intervention. This study is to examine three main points: (a) The problems which unmarried mothers experience, i.e. (b) How social work is catering for this particular client group today. (c) What the role of the social worker and the social work agency should be as regards unmarried mothers. The methodology of the study will follow the design and analysis of a questionnaire which will inquire and establish the problems of the 'unmarried mother situation'. Through this method, the form of help given to this client group and their expectations of social work will also be established. Then an inquiry of the available sources of social work help will be made. Finally through the results of the questionnaire analysis, and book research, the role of the social worker and the agency will be outlined.