lone parent families and matrifocal

Question 1

define lone-parent families

Answer 1

a family with a single male or female parent living with either dependent or non dependent children

Question 2

define the term matrifocal

Answer 2

where the head of a household is female

Question 3

state a pattern and trend regarding lone-parent families

Answer 3

in** 2001 there were 1.7 million l**one parent families which has increased to **2.9 million in 2022
**

Question 4

what gender are lone parent households most likely to be headed by

Answer 4

a female
in 2022 8/10 lone parent families were headed by mothers

Question 5

how are children impacted by lone parent families

Answer 5

They are twice as likely to be in poverty as a child living with 2 parents in a house

Question 6

what are the reasons for these patterns and trends

Answer 6

changes in parental status:
lpf and matrifocal emerge as a result of separation and divorce.
this meant that women that divorced women were the biggest group of lone mothers. Additionally, women may choose to raise children alone as they are able to support their child without their fathers involvement. Courts usually give custody to mothers as they are viewed as being more nurturing and caring by nature. Additionally men are less likely to give up work to care 4 children.

Question 7

What is the cycle of a lone-parent family

Answer 7

Duncan and Rogers found that less than 1/3 of children born into lone-parent households stayed in one throughout their childhood. This suggests LPH are not a permanent state.

Question 8

RW commentators

What is the debate regarding lone-parent households ?

Answer 8

right wing politicians idealize the nuclear family
They criticize them due to 3 factors:
. expensive
. lack moral responsibility
. dysfunctional
right wing commentators view LPF as a social issue linked to rising levels of crime, educational under achievement.

Question 9

what is Murrays opinion on LPF

Answer 9

Murray saw the growth of LPFs resulting from a generous welfare state. Welfare state rewarding irresponsible behaviour.

Question 10

what happened in 1993 regarding LPF

Answer 10

the conservatives set up CSA/child support agency, this forces absent parents to pay for Childs maintenance, the idea was to prevent an increase of LPF.

Question 11

reasons for the link between low living standards and lone parent families include

Answer 11

lack of affordable childcare
inadequate welfare benefits
women earn less than men
failure of fathers to provide csa