Single-parent families are not alone either: the Odd Parent Awards were presented

Katalin Novák emphasized that those who raise their children alone do everything every day so that their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren can live a full life and grow up happily.

He said that an institution similar to the Üllői út Single Parent Center, which is also unique internationally, will be opened next year in Buda, which will be another meeting point and a handhold for those who need community, help, support or guidance.

He also mentioned that

it is expected that the Parliament will adopt the amendment to the law on Tuesday, which will make it easier for those concerned to access the advance alimony.

He also mentioned among the measures to make the lives of single parents easier, that next year the minimum allowance for orphans will be raised to HUF 50,000.

The minister also spoke about the need to overcome the attitude that everything is always rosy and light in two-parent families, or that everything is dark and difficult in single-parent families; according to him, there can be beautiful and happy moments in any of them.

Anna Nagy, the head of the center, emphasized that single parenthood is not a matter of values, political affiliation, religion or skin color, but a life situation that needs to be resolved, and which most people resolve miraculously every day.

He said,

the award is for those who work 48 hours a day, because they do it instead of two parents, and they can smile even when it's hard, because they do the most beautiful thing as parents, they raise children.

In March of this year, the Single Parent Center announced - for the second time - an application for the Odd Parent Award. Anyone could make a proposal for the awardee. It was possible to nominate parents who raise their children alone and by setting an example for others.

The jury expected personal stories from the candidates, the call received more than 500 nominations and inspiring stories, from which the finalists were selected. In addition to Anna Nagy, the jury members included Dóra Havas, author of the lilafüge.hu gastroblog, presenter of Spectrum TV, Kata Jászai Mari award-winning actress and disc jockey Attila Várkonyi, host of Retro radio.

Awards were presented in eight categories; of the year for the unique mother, father, grandparent, great-grandparent, parent of a large family, community parent, special parenting odd parent, and the recipient of the Ministry's special award.

The names and stories of the awardees will be available on the center's website.

In Hungary today, there are about half a million children living in 300,000 single-parent families. In the last four decades, the number of single-parent families has doubled. According to the association's data, the proportion of children with disabilities is higher in single-parent families. Out of 100 single-parent families, the mother brings up the children in nearly 90 cases, and there are around 40,000 single fathers living in Hungary, among other things, the center's brochure reads.

The Üllői út Single Parent Center opened in May 2018, with the aim of providing help and community to families without one parent. Since then, the center has reached almost 16,000 single-parent families with its more than seventy services.

On May 19, Katalin Novák announced that a new Single-Parent Center will be established in Buda, on the Jacobins Square, and according to the plans, families will be able to take possession of the new institution next year.

In March of this year, the government concluded a strategic agreement with the Single Parents Club Foundation and the National Association of Large Families.

Source: MTI / hirado.hu

Front page photo: Award presenters, including Katalin Novák, minister without portfolio responsible for families, and awardees at the ceremonial presentation of the Páratlan Szülő Díj at the Single Parent Center in Budapest on June 7, 2021 (Photo: MTI/Tibor Illyés)