The work examines the contemporary trend of raising a child with one parent, usually the mother. It deals with the various reasons that lead to this family arrangement, and highlights the problems with which a lone parent is struggling. It focuses namely on difficulties in reconciling work with caring for a child and a household, and on the resulting financial distress. The target group is introduced to readers through case studies of women living in a shelter for mothers and children in distress; the case studies are further evaluated, particularly in terms of the benefits of social services. Various types of assistance from the state are discussed, which single-parent families can benefit from; these are mainly financial support and social services. The next chapter describes alternative kinds of state aid. Attention is drawn to the pitfalls associated with the use of aid, such as dependence on social services and lack of motivation to activate one's own capabilities and to utilize one's own social environment. Possible solutions of the issue are outlined in the conclusion.