Single parenthood over the past few decades has been a focus of family scholar research that has shown its characteristics as a family form, its risks and opportunities, as well as its coping mechanisms. Within this body of research, the situation of immigrant single parents is less documented, although specific conditions particularise this experience, as it will be demonstrated in this chapter. We intend to discuss whether or not immigration can initiate a turning point in the lives of parents experiencing a conjugal separation after settling in the receiving society. Examples are drawn from a research based on biographic interviews with immigrant single mothers of different ethnic origins established in Québec City. First, we briefly present the current situation in this field. Second, the theoretical approach is introduced, discussing the definition of turning points as well as the main life course principles that underlie our research. Third, several details about our study's context and methodology are presented. Finally, we analyse those family trajectories and dynamics where a conjugal separation occurs, and then conclude with a discussion about the significance of single parenthood and the impact of immigration and conjugal separation on individuals’ lives.

Experiencing a conjugal separation in an immigration context

Since the 1970s, in all Western societies, the number and proportion of single parents among households with children has constantly increased. In the province of Québec, in 2006 single parents represented 29 per cent of all families and 23.0 per cent of children lived in a single-parent household (MFA, 2011). This phenomenon also presents two other important characteristics: its feminisation (80 per cent of single parents are women) and relative rejuvenation – single parents are younger than other categories of parents (Cloutier et al, 2004).

Entry into single parenthood can entail positive consequences, such as the improvement of family climate and stability where the parent or child has experienced domestic conflict or abuse (Amato, 2000; Parent et al, in press). However, as many studies point out, single parenthood also brings about many risks and difficulties of a social, economic and psychological nature (Dandurand and Ouellette, 1992; Lefaucheur, 1993; Lefaucheur and Martin, 1993; Le Gall and Martin, 1996; Duncan and Edwards, 1997; Martin, 1997; Cloutier et al, 2004).