Lone-Parent Families and Matrifocals

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 ‘Matrifocals’

Answer 2

Where the head of the house is a female

Question 3

Describe the Patterns & Trends of LPF & Matrifocal

Answer 3

• A child living with a lone parent is twice as likely to be in poverty as a child living with two parent.
• LPF are most likely to be headed by the mother

Question 4

State the reasons for the Patterns & Trends of LPF

Answer 4

1) Changes in Parental relationship status:
- A lot of people leaving cohabiting relationships as people are deliberately choosing to be single by choice.

2) Matrifocal LPF:
women are more likely to take the main caring responsibilities for children when relationships break down.
As a result, divorce courts usually give custody of children to mothers.

Question 5

What was ‘The Debate on LPFs’?

Answer 5

Right-wing commentators idealise the nuclear family and have been critical to LPFs.
They believed LPFs were:
- Expensive
- Lacking moral responsibility
- Dysfunctional

Question 6

List 2 Advantages & Disadvantages to LPFs

Answer 6

Advantages:
- Closer bond with parent
- Given more responsibility

Disadvantages:
- May not be financially secure
- Not having close bond with other parent