New research finds that family separation more than doubles the risk of economic vulnerability in families with young children

October 09, 2024

Social Inclusion and Equality
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New research, published by the ESRI, and produced in partnership with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) finds that becoming a lone parent increases the risk of economic vulnerability. Economic vulnerability is measured based on low income, material deprivation and financial stress.

The study draws on the Growing Up in Ireland 08 Cohort and follows the trajectories of families over nine years (2008-2017), from when the study child was aged nine months to nine years. It considers which lone parent families are most at risk of economic vulnerability, how transitions into lone parenthood influence economic vulnerability and what factors are associated with exiting economic vulnerability.

 Key findings include: 

  • 16% of families are lone parents when the child is aged 9 months and around half of these families become two parent families over the course of the next nine years. Meanwhile, 9% of two parent families become lone parent families during this time.
  • Lone parent families faced a higher risk of economic vulnerability throughout the period. They also experienced a longer duration of economic vulnerability than two-parent families. 
  • Among lone parents, disability, lower education levels, larger family size and lack of employment are all associated with an increased risk of economic vulnerability.
  • Lone parents who receive maintenance payments from their ex-partner and those who have access to social support face a lower risk of economic vulnerability. Around half of lone parents receive no maintenance from their former partner, 36-38% receive a regular maintenance payment and 11-17% receive a more irregular payment “when required”. The proportions fluctuate slightly over time. 

Transitions into Lone Parenthood

  • On average, the risk of economic vulnerability is 2.6 times greater for those who become a lone parent compared to similar families that stay together. For example, the risk of previously married mothers being economically vulnerable is 37% compared to 15% for those who stay married, even when controlling for factors such as family size, employment status, education and previous economic vulnerability.
  • We find that the increased risk of poverty associated with separation is widespread even among those who are relatively advantaged before the break-up. For example, among women with degrees, the probability of economic vulnerability is 24% for those who become lone parents compared to 10% for those who remain partnered. For those with only lower second-level education, the respective figures are 44% and 23%. Therefore, while there is a substantial increased risk for both groups, lone parents with lower educational qualifications have the highest risk overall.

Exits from Poverty

  • The report also investigates the factors that predict exit from economic vulnerability for lone parents. Factors increasing the probability of exit include taking up employment of 16 hours or more, re-partnering and higher educational qualifications.  
  • Those who do not have enough social support and have more children are less likely to exit economic vulnerability.  

Implication for policy

  • Education serves as a crucial pathway to better employment opportunities and financial independence. Facilitating access to education and training opportunities is an important policy support. However, it must recognise childcare needs and the complexity of the welfare system facing lone parents.
  • While employment can significantly reduce economic vulnerability, this is not always the case and even mothers in employment experience a substantial increase in economic vulnerability upon becoming a lone parent. Lone parents face persistent barriers in the labour market, including constraints on their hours of work due to the care needs of their children, low pay and higher levels of in-work poverty.
  • Social transfers remain a crucial support for lone parents and their children. Recent ESRI research has found that introducing a second tier of means-tested child benefit could be highly effective in lifting children and their families out of poverty.

Professor Helen Russell, co-author of the study said:

“The Growing Up in Ireland study highlights that families are not static but change over time in their composition and characteristics. Family separation and entry into lone parenthood is a period of significant economic risk for families. The high levels of economic vulnerability among lone parents highlights the need for increased efforts to support the incomes of these families.”

Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said:

“I welcome the launch of this report which shows where supports should be targeted to reduce the higher levels of poverty experienced by lone parents, in comparison with parents who are couples. The report highlights the need for supports particularly in childcare, access to education and employment for lone parents. This report adds to the significant body of evidence that helps us to understand the issues around child poverty so that we can find and implement solutions.”