Research explores single parenthood

THE WELL-BEING of children raised by a lone parent is not negatively affected in later life as a result, new research suggests.

Academics at the University of Sheffield teamed up with the Gingerbread charity for one of the largest studies of its kind looking at the impact on children growing up in single parent households.

Seeking to debunk myths about a perceived negative impact on children raised by a lone parent, researchers today published a report on their findings. The six-year study explored the experiences of more than 27,800 homes with children.

There was no evidence of a negative impact of living in a single parent household on children’s well-being in terms of their life satisfaction, quality of peer relationships, or positivity about family life, the study found.

The report’s author, Sumi Rabindrakumar, said: “By taking a more dynamic view of family life, these findings challenge common political and public narratives around single parents and their families.

“Not only is the experience of single parenthood more common than typically reported, but family and caring relationships are more complex and often extend beyond the household unit.”

The research also suggests lone parenthood is more common than reported, as it found that an average of one in four families with children are led by a single parent.

Ms Rabindrakumar added: “Crucially, there are clear signs that children’s well-being is not negatively affected by living within a single parent household.

“This fresh look at family life must now be reflected in policy making and research alike. To ignore these trends risks remaining out of touch with the reality of everyday lives and the UK’s family landscape.”