Lone-Parent Families

Question 1

Statistics

Answer 1

•Over 90% of these families are headed by lone-mothers
•A child living with a lone-parent is twice as likely to be in poverty

Question 2

Reasons for the Patterns

Answer 2

•There has been a sharp increase in divorce and seperation
•Decline in stigma for having children before marriage
•Death of a parent is no longer a significant cause

Question 3

Reasons why lone-parent families are more likely headed by a female

Answer 3

•widespread belief that women are suited to the “expressive role”
•divorce courts usually give custody of children to mothers
•men are less willing than women to give up work to care for children

Question 4

Single by Choice

Answer 4

Women may not want to cohabit or marry or they may wish to restrict father’s involvement
•Renvoize (1985): professional women were able to support their children without the father’s involvement
•Cashmore (1985): women who were not as financially powerful chose to live off welfare benefits on their own, without a partner typically because of trauma from abuse
•Feminists: Women have greater increased opportunities in society which encourages other women