one-parent family

Nearly twice as many one-parent families with children are living in poverty.

Last year 54 percent of one-parent black families were headed by women who had never married.

But probably the biggest headache for one-parent families is pricing.

There are also differences between ethnic groups in the percentage of one-parent families, as Figure 2.16 shows.

The social and economic situation of one-parent families is very disadvantageous.

More than a million and a half children - one in eight - live in these one-parent families.

Estimates suggest that between a fifth and a quarter of children may spend some time in a one-parent family.

"But you don't want to exclude millions of kids who are being raised in one-parent families."

"If you push them, a lot of times a parent will leave, and you'll be down to a one-parent family."

Some parents, such as one-parent families or those in difficult circumstances may have considerable need of support services.