The challenges of parenting on your own
Single parent families are now the fastest growing family type across Australia. Over the next 20 years, single parent families are expected to increase by up to 70 per cent.
In 2011, of the 42 per cent of households in Victoria that contained children, just over 10 per cent were single parent households. In 2012 across Australia, 15 per cent of all families contained only one parent – and 81 per cent of these were single mother families. Figures in 2021 show us 1.1 million (15.0%) of Australian families are one parent families with 79.8% of these being single mothers.
One reason for the increase in single parent families is the growing number of single women in their 30s starting a family on their own. Other reasons are the more traditional ones: separation, divorce, and death of a partner.
- Single parent families are now the fastest growing family type across Australia.
- Children raised by one biological parent are generally just as happy as children raised by two.
- Help from extended family and friends can help strengthen any family.
- Seek support when facing the challenges of single parenthood.
- Parenting on your own can be rewarding.
