Divorce Not Always Bad News For Kids

New research from the Australian Family Institute suggests that we have some pretty outdated attitudes when it comes to single parenthood.

Not only is the sterotype of the unwed single mother on welfare untrue, but being in a sole parent family doesn’t necessarily lead to adverse outcomes for children.

Institute Director, Professor Alan Hayes, says that,

“Where child and parent health is good, where there’s enough income and stable housing, and where there’s an extended family or social network, the risk of poor outcomes is lessened.”

An article published in the Institute’s flagship journal Family Matters suggests that co-operation and support can lessen the impact of separation.

“Research suggests that two key things strengthen sole parent families: support from extended family and friends and a positive co-parenting arrangement,” said the article’s author Elly Robinson, the Manager of the Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse.

In addition, far from resigning themselves to a life on welfare, evidence suggests that many women go on to make successful new families as well as establishing themselves in work.

Don’t you just love shooting down stereotypes? By 2026 Australia is forecast to have almost 1.2 million sole-parent households – an increase of 42 percent since 2001, so we better get used to it and ensure that single parents have the support they need, especially in this tough economic climate.