Family Diversity- Lone Parent Families

Question 1

What are the trends of lone parent families?

Answer 1

-In 2022- 27% of all families were with children, 1 in 4 lived in a LPF
-85% of LPFs headed by women
-44% of children living in poverty are in LPFs
-Since 90s never married mothers became biggest group of LPFs

Question 2

How is the CPOW a reason for the increase in LPFs?

Answer 2

-Womens greater financial independence means they can afford to be in one
-Increase in welfare benefits- allows women to leave partner even if they don’t have enough

Question 3

How is the increase in divorce a reason for the increase in LPFs?

Answer 3

-Leads to many children staying with one parent predominantly
-Partly due to decline in stigma as its no longer frowned upon to raise a child alone

Question 4

Why are the courts a reason as to why LPFs are often female headed?

Answer 4

Rad Fems: Mothers tend to fain custody because many believe women are naturally suited to an ‘expressive’ or nurturing role

Question 5

Why is the impact of feminism a reason as to why LPFs are often female headed?

Answer 5

-Mothers are single by choice so may not want to cohabit or marry
-Actively choose father’s involvement
-Renvoize: professional women are able to support their child without father’s involvement
-Greater opportunities support this

Question 6

What is the New Right explanation for increased LPFs?

Answer 6

-Murray: inc of LPFs is due to an overgenerous welfare state providing benefits to unmarried women and their children
-Gives ‘preverse incentive’- state rewards irresponsible behaviour
-‘Dependency culture’- people assume state will support them and their children
-Group is the ‘underclass’
-Murray encourages abolishing welfare state- reduce births outside of marriage

-Lack of affordable childcare prevents parents from working- 60% unemployed
-Gender pay gap
-Failure of fathers to pay child support