Only two-thirds of British children live with both parents

[Fittster]

"The UK has just two-thirds of children living with both parents, one of the lowest rates in the western world, according to research by a global development organisation.

Only in Belgium, Latvia and Estonia are children less likely to live in a household with both their father and mother.

The analysis by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that 68.9% of children live with both parents in the UK, well below the average of 84%. The lowest percentage was in Latvia at 64.9%, while the highest was in Finland where it stood at 95.2%.

The UK percentage is low in contrast with other western European countries, such as Germany (82%), Italy (92.1%), Spain (91.5%) and France (79.5%). In the 70.7% of children live with both parents.

The figures, which looked at the living arrangements of children aged between 0 and 14 in 30 OECD member countries, relate to 2007.

They also show that the proportion of children living only with their mother in the UK is 27.6%, while 2.4% live only with their father. Only Latvia has a higher percentage of children living with just their mother, at 30.2%."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/dec/29...

Shocking as it's known that a stable family is one of the keys to a child's success.

[Fittster]

Eric Mc said:

Fittster said:

"Shocking as it's known that a stable family is one of the keys to a child's success.

A single parent might well provide a more stable environment for a child than a rowing couple.

There are always exceptions but generally a child is better off living with two parents.

"Researchers are tracking children’s behaviour, school choice and cognitive development as part of the on-going Millennium Cohort Study, which is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
Two major analyses of the data – published today – chart the impact of parenting on children born at the turn of the millennium.

In one study, researchers surveyed 13,500 mothers to gage children’s behaviour. They were asked to rate their hyperactivity, conduct, emotional problems and relationships with peers. Researchers then grouped children into three categories ranging from “normal” to “serious behavioural problems”.
It found that stepchildren and children with lone parents were most likely to be badly behaved. Fifteen per cent of stepchildren and 12 per cent of children with lone parents fell into this category, compared with six per cent living with both natural parents.
Behavioural problems were less likely among children living in families with higher levels of parental qualifications, it was disclosed.
Academics insisted further research was needed into the link between single parents and children’s behaviour."