Identify and Explain Two Reasons for the Growth in Single Parent Families in Contemporary Uk
One reason for the increase in the number of single parent households is the increase in divorce, which leaves more parents raising children without a partner. This increase in marital breakdown may be explained in terms of an increasing acceptance of diversity and choice in family life. Possibly due to secularisation, a decrease in the importance of religion in people’s lives, there is increasing less stigma attached to parents who raise children outside of a nuclear family structure. Many people would argue that a single parent could raise a child better in a more stable and positive family household, than a married couple with a volatile or abusing relationship would be able to. Legal changes have made filing for a divorce more accessible to people of all social classes. In the past it was very expensive; but now legal aid and advice is on offer to all, and the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act has resulted in increased financial security for the single parent caring for any children after the divorce. Also, these changes have made qualifying for divorce easier, following the Family Law Act 1996 partners could simply state that the marriage had ‘broken down’ and after a ‘reflection period’ the legal separation would be finalised. Therefore stability of marriage has decreased and the number of lone-parents is on the rise.
Another reason for the growth in single parent households is the increase in the number of never married parents. The rise in births by unmarried women, who may be having children due to change in lifestyle in which they have more dependence economically and socially, or they may have chosen to cohabit with a partner but not become legally married. In 2007, nearly 1/5 of single women and more than 1/3 of divorced women who were not cohabiting had at least one dependent child. This could be explained by Gibson’s view that society has a lack of shared values that stabilise the family. Arguably there is no longer one dominant
Another reason for the growth in single parent households is the increase in the number of never married parents. The rise in births by unmarried women, who may be having children due to change in lifestyle in which they have more dependence economically and socially, or they may have chosen to cohabit with a partner but not become legally married. In 2007, nearly 1/5 of single women and more than 1/3 of divorced women who were not cohabiting had at least one dependent child. This could be explained by Gibson’s view that society has a lack of shared values that stabilise the family. Arguably there is no longer one dominant