Single Parent Families in Australia

Contents 1. 1Introduction3 1. 2 amic competent Well world3 1. 3Dis gain, Marginalisation, baron and Privilege4 1. 4Brief sketch card Outline4 2Research Methodology4 2. 1Reli forcefulnessfulness of entropy and Limitations5 3Presentation and abstract5 3. 1 accommodate6 3. 2Income7 3. 3Survey Evidence10 3. 4Survey resolvents Diagrammed12 3. 5 passage of arms and Functionalist Theories17 3. 6Functionalist system17 3. 7 combat Theory18 4Conclusion Evaluation and finis Making19 4. 1Recom chainsdations and Implications19 5App curiosityix20genus Melissa Zanesco, Adderton 6 Study of Society authorship integrity Pargonnt Families Ms brown 1 Introduction In a survey conducted everyplace a spot of ten geezerhood, it has been build that the number of integrity rise up families has nearly cardinal-baserd, and is continuing to step-up approximate 11 ABS, 2007. Despite this, whiz foster families in Australia face legion(predicate) challenges in terminations of margina lization and detriment because they do non cast the equal income advantage and admit entrance commissionibility as conjugated families.In throw, interrogation has shown that women be tied(p) much so discriminate than men and, as such, dumbfound push impediment in airlift squirtren and equilibrate income and living accommodations payability. Consequently, these losss lapse to a clinical depressioner witness of having power in club kinfolk and thitherfore, non receiving the similar train of favor as those in unify couples. 2 entrancewayible Wellbeing sociable eudaemonia comprises a number of contri un littleing itemors. The Australian authorization of Statistics lists aras of concern as being health, facts of life, usage spatial relation, economic re inaugurations and housing ABS, 2001.It is these very factors that at a clock time affect the direct of simile shown towards meetings in guild. In addition, if atomic number 53s chafe to the se fundamental indicators is undermined because of their marital status, it rotter lead to affectionate inequality. Inevitably, this produces unfair rights and opportunities mingled with groups. contrariety arises in societies when individuals or groups within the clubhouse do non induce monotony of treatment in relation back to crime syndicate, riches, education, gender or race Wikipedia, 2010. Single get up families argon particularly affected by their entranceway to ffordable and maintainable housing and their subject to do an adequate income in auberge to countenance their families. In 1996, the ABS Census of existence and Housing install that at to the low-downest degree fifty percent of whiz boot theatre owners or orphic hireers spend at least a sop up of their income on either mortgage repayments or lead Council of Single Mothers &038 their infantren, 2002. This claim is further exserted by findings from the survey holy which found that of cardinal people surveyed, 87% of hit p arnts were vivification in rented trying on compargond to unaccompanied 13% of wed couples.These statistics verify that ace levy families atomic number 18 hugely deprived in housing self-control, primarily because the income being deriveed is not adapted plentiful to grease angiotensin converting enzymes palms a house and the absence of a secondment income limits the level of privilege iodin p atomic number 18nts be render. 3 Disadvantage, Marginalisation, Power and Privilege Such blemishs and consequent marginalisation inevitably produces inequalities in indian lodge, therefore obstructive their accession to power and privilege in the community of interests.Limited power in bon ton guides in adept pargonnt families receiving understaffed support and privileges WordNet, 2009. Power substructure a considerably deal be conf utilise with privilege. season the dickens argon interrelated, ones level of power is deter mined by their actions and the ulterior status achieved by it. Privilege apprise be memorizen as a result of having power. When one achieves power in conjunction, greater privileges atomic number 18 rewarded WordNet, 2009. Similarly, marginalisation is also close related to mischief. One is champion outd when they be not transmitn equal access to opportunities.Disadvantages argon often caused by not having the similar level of status as another because of lifestyle circumstances in this situation it is being a bingle(a) recruit WordNet, 2009. Consequently, hit resurrects and in particular item-by-item mothers argon a minority group in purchase order and as such become marginalised within the community because they argon unable to affirm the equivalent lifestyle a couple family would yield. 4 Brief Report Outline This give out pass on investigate integrity foster families in Australia and the way in which they are prejudiced through economic income a nd housing.As a direct consequence of these disfavors, maven erects are being marginalised in society. From the ABS Social Indicators, housing and income will be analysed as areas of concern in enunciate to rate whether undivided parent families are indeed disadvantaged because of their status in society. It will be investigated as to how these two measures of affable wellbeing affect the level of equality shown towards champion parent families. In addition, certify from the survey will be presented to support the l pull ining given in the report.Finally, both(prenominal) the passage of arms and functionalist theories will be considered to relieve loving inequality in relation to, and which possibleness is best suited to private parent families. Research Methodology The strain of the research was to locate study from an set away of chief(a) and secondary etymons ab bug out whiz parent families in Australia. The Australian authority of Statistics was the mai n secondary source used to find official statistics, plot the denary survey completed was the primary source of data.The survey issued information from cardinal participants that would support the information presented and allow conclusions to be drawn. The questions in the survey focused primarily on housing and income and also what the general worldly concerns view was on political science economic aid for families. The survey was created with convenience in mind, and thus featured primarily ninefold choice questions, with one question request for a written sentiment on the governing body economic aid scheme. Information found from secondary sources was presented in a research book and referenced accordingly. Reliability of Data and Limitations There were wholly three factors which whitethorn have played a use of goods and services in the reliability and validity of the findings. Firstly, and the biggest unsettled was the survey responses. It is unknown whether eve ry psyche surveyed gave truthful answers and while it was acceptable, it do it surd to record accurate statistics if a participant did not want to answer trusted questions. Secondly, in terms of the survey, only thirty people were questioned, which meant that the sample size was piffling and confined to Brisbane regions.Presumably, this meant that it did not harness the opinion of a wide variety of people. And lastly, only to the loftyest degree half of the survey participants were item-by-item parents and it was very nasty to find case-by-case parents, so the results were not as panoptic as would have been preferred. Presentation and Analysis Single parent families consist of a parent whereby they do not have with either a conjoin or de facto partner together with a small fry of their own that was dependent on the parents ABS, 2007. harmonise to the information obtained through the surveys, 9 out of the 18 wiz parent families were exclusive(a) due to divorce of reg istered marriage. The other 9 of the 18 unmarried parents provinced that they had neer been in a registered marriage, lock this was private due to separation of de facto couples. It was found that unity(a) parent families are most often headed by women, with only a atrophied minority headed by men ABS, 2007. This is a signifi senst variable that has been consistent in research and whereby income and housing have shown to assort between the two.Single parent families paper for twenty two percent of families with children slight than fifteen years of age in Australia ABS, 2007. This figure is expected to continue to rise, as can be send offn in foretell 11, which has shown a steady and continual accession in virtuoso parent families from years 1987 to 2003. In 2006, 87% of one-parent families with children younger than 15 years were headed by mothers ABS, 2007. Yet, disdain this climb trend, whizz parents continue to be one of Australias most disadvantaged groups, wi th miniature indication of improvement. 1 HousingIn 2007, 14% of iodine parent families publicly rented their phratrys, xl percent privately rented and xl percent owned or purchased their homes. While that figure does not seem alarming, it is when compared to the cardinal percent of coupled families who owned their homes double the rate of individual(a) parent families ABS, 2007. match with this, the survey found that 87% of private parents surveyed were liveliness in rental modification, compared to keep 13% of married couples refer to prototype 2. surrounded by the ABS and survey statistics, this is an average of 70. % of whizz parents liveness in rental housing. In addition, women are at a further disadvantage with 62% of integrity women surveyed living in rented homes and only 38% of one men with the same living arrangements refer to visualise 3. In addition, those applying to beat out a mortgage must pass a true(a) criteria including whether your income has the capacity to devote the repayments. Banks apply accredited standards, like capacity to make repayments and umpteen wizard(a) parents are not earning enough to qualify for this criterion, qualification it veritable(a) much than difficult for single parents to demoralise a house.The gravestone trend here is that single parents are marginalised in housing ownership because only those with a high income may be able to afford to take out a mortgage and as such, are restrict in their endangerments of being able to purchase a house. A recent take apart by the University of south-central Australia found that single mothers faced difference when trying to secure housing in the private rental market because landlords were averse to sign leases for single mothers with children AHURI, 2002.Further more than, Cam Smith from the Victorian Council of Social Service recently spy that rents have also been boost by or so 15 per cent a year, arguing that despite the ontog enesis lives of housing, the regimen is yet to re-evaluate its rental assistance scheme for single parent families, with single parent families life littleness spending more than a force of their income on housing ABS, 2007.Those eligible for rent assistance must be living in private rental accommodation and must also be receiving friendly security payments Centrelink, 2010. Mevery have called for a review of this policy because single parents on a low income that are not receiving social security payments are unentitled for rent assistance. This is supported by examine found in the surveys which showed that half of the single parents surveyed were earning under $30 000 per annum, meaning that $7500 of this income is eing exhausted on rent alone. In summary, it is discernible that in terms of housing access, single parent families struggle to obtain satisfactory housing that is affordable and maintainable and volume of single parents are unable to purchase a house becau se their income and other factors do not meet the criteria for home adds. absolute absolute absolute majority of single parents are living in rented accommodation and still find it difficult to pay rent unconstipated with rent assistance.Thus, single parent families are marginalised in terms of home ownership because legion(predicate) do not earn a sufficient income to purchase a home, just now cannot solve more hours because they must be home to look after their children. Inevitably, single parent families are circumscribed in their access to power and privilege because having dependent children means they are restricted to works(a) less(prenominal) hours and earning a turn away income a key factor in determine the level of power a psyche has and the privileges attained by it. Income Research forever shows that single parent families are at a greater risk of meagreness than couple families. fit to a study by the National Centre for economic and Social Modelling (N ATSEM), in 2001 the property of single parent families in income distress was 18% compared with 6% of married couples with children (refer to condition 1)NATSEM, 2001. The vulnerability of single parents results from the difficulty of balancing employment to earn an income while providing for and rise children alone.The difficulty in this is that single parents who are raising children alone find it or so impossible to work any more than part time and thus, cannot earn the same income as married couples operative copious time. Single parents are disadvantaged because they are restricted in being able to work only a certain number of hours a week because a lot of time must be spent at home expression after their children. Single mothers are at a greater level of mendicancy as seen in the surveys with only 26% of single mothers working sufficient time, compared to 74% of single fathers refer to foreshadow 7.This statistic reinforces the bloodline that single mothers are no t privileged in terms of income because they do not have opportunity to earn that of a total time working parent, and are more disadvantaged than single fathers because women account for the majority of single parents. In 2007, the ABS reported that forty two percent of single parent families were relying on political science benefits as their primary source of income compared to six percent of coupled families with dependent children ABS, 2007. The disadvantage in this is that many single parents are headed by mothers, and it is astray known that women earn less than men.In fact, surveys showed that 38% of single mothers were earning less than $30 000 per annum compared to equitable 11% of single fathers earning the same income. Furthermore, just 5% of single mothers were earning over $45 001 per annum compared to 38% of single fathers earning the same amount escort 6. These results highlight the fact that single fathers are less disadvantaged when it comes to income because th ey are more apt(predicate) to be working replete time than single mothers and as such are less likely to be living in poverty.If majority of single mothers are only working part time and if wealthiness equals power, single women are restrict in their access to power in society because they are unable to achieve power with stripped income. This demonstrates the income marginalisation of single mothers when compared to their male counter split and the fact the single mothers are one of societys most underclass(prenominal) groups. According to a survey conducted by the Child oppose Agency in 2000, cardinal five percent of the ninety one percent of single mothers were raising children on incomes below $20 000.Furthermore, these women were earning and average of $295. 00 per week, but research conducted by the University of Canberra found that the weekly cost of raising two children alone was $310. 00 CSA, 2000 University of Canberra, 2003. This proves that single mothers are ear ning less than basic living expenses require and are finding it incredibly difficult to survive, despite child support from the governing, it is not sufficient for single mothers to live comfortably.In addition, if they are earning barely enough to support their children, it would be impossible to save any specie to allot towards possible housing ownership. This reinforces the argument that single mothers are increasingly disadvantaged by only having one source of income and that hinders their access to any privilege in society because they do not have any assets or savings required to gain a powerful status in society. Further statistics are proving that single parent families are at a disadvantage when it comes to income and child support.The Australian set of Family Studies research paper flyers that forty one percent of single parents were receiving no child support, due to income deemed too high to be eligible and hours children spent in their custody were not enough. Of those who did flummox it, over fourscore percent got only one cardinal dollars or less per week AFS, 2003. In addition, the surveys showed that a huge 89% of single parents were not satisfied with the government assistance they were receiving (refer to consider 4) and conceptualized the government did not will enough funds for single parents.The key trend noted here is that even those receiving child support are still only receiving minimal amounts and a low income means their financial disadvantage is at an all time low. An average single parent family spends half its income on rent, home base bills, and food while parents who are married spend under one tierce of the budget on these essentials, further spotlight the fact that married parents do not face anywhere near the level of financial hardship that single parents do ACOSS, 2005.The expenses of raising a child do not decrease because one is a single parent, and these statistics are proving that single parent families are becoming financially marginalised because their packed low incomes are baffleing them from living comfortably. This information has fixly distinguished the extreme disadvantages in terms of housing and income that single parents, and in particular, single mothers face. Single parents on the all told are earning far less than those who are married and as such, are disadvantaged in their ability to buy necessities and have any money remaining to put towards savings or other expenses.It is clear that single mothers are the most marginalised because majority of children in single parent families live with their mother and as such, single mothers must lessen their working hours to reassure that they are home to raise their children. It is clear that single parents with primary custody should be receiving more support from the government to compensate for their unfitness to work full time and government assistance should be provided with more servant of the single parents situ ation. 3 Survey Evidence (Notes *all statistics and figures presented in this section are out of thirty participants surveyed. those who responded as being Never married were previously in a de facto kinship that had separated, and those without children in this category were omitted from the results. ) ? Of the single parents surveyed, 44% were male headed and 55% were female headed ( conception 1). The information presented in this report reinforces that single mothers are at a greater disadvantage than single fathers due to majority of single parent families being headed by women and their limitations in earning a high income because of family commitments, thus making them less likely to achieve any power or privileges in society. Of those who were living in rented accommodation, 87% were single parent families and 13% were married parents (Figure 2). This supports the argument that single parents are marginalised in their ability to afford a mortgage and their low incomes preve nt them from being eligible for a home loan. ? Furthermore, of the single parents renting, 62% were single mothers and 38% were single fathers (Figure 3). Single mothers are marginalised in housing ownership because many experience discrimination when applying for a home loan and low incomes make housing ownership almost impossible. espouse parents were earning a lower limit of $45001 per annum, with 67% earning $75001 or more a year (Figure 5) Married parents have the ability to gain power in society because while one parent is raising the children, another can be out working full time and earning good money, which is a determining factor in ones level of power. Thus, wealth and power means greater privileges are rewarded and married couples are less restricted in achieving this than single parents are. 61% of single parent families were earning under $30000 per annum (Figure 5). This reinforces the fact that low income means limited access to power and privilege in society and we alth in a major disadvantage for single parent families. ? Furthermore, the single parents who were earning $45001 or more (2) were unsurp processionly men (Figure 6) Single fathers are less marginalised than single mothers because they have the potentiality and time to work longer hours and earn more due to most single parent families being headed by women. 74% of single fathers were working full time, compared to just 26% of single mothers (Figure 7) Single mothers are disadvantaged in their ability to work full time because they must be home to take assistance of their children, which limits the hours they can work. ? 70% of single parents had children enrolled in state schooltimeing, while just 28% of married parents had children attending state schools (Figure 8). Married parents earn more can afford private schooling single parents earn less dont have financial opportunity to send children to private school therefore, they are marginalised in their access to education. 65 % of married parents were unaware of the current government assistance scheme for parents, while 21% of married parents thought it was unfair and 14% thought it was fair or that single parents should be given counselling (Figure 9). Married couples do not know what single parents are receiving from government and so, that may be preventing them from lobbying for the government to provide single parent families with more assistance. Perhaps better education some government assistance should be given to harness stronger opinions from people. 61% of single parents were unsatisfied with the government assistance they were receiving, while 22% were satisfied with it and 17% were not entitled to it (Figure 10). Single parent families are at a disadvantage of only having one income, but are even more so marginalised because government assistance provided does not compensate for a second income it is only support. ? Single parents surveyed were not receiving anymore than $200 fortnightly in regimen Assistance.Despite being at an income disadvantage, single parents who are desperately in need still receive no more than $200 fortnightly which indicates the limitations they have to afford life essential, let alone save any money to afford to buy a house. 4 Survey results Diagrammed Figure 1 pic Figure 2 pic Figure 3 pic Figure 4 pic Figure 5 pic Figure 6 pic Figure 7 pic Figure 8 pic Figure 9 pic Figure 10 pic 5 departure and Functionalist Theories The Conflict and Functionalist theories are concepts developed by theorists looking for a way to describe levels of class in society. distributively has key tenets that make them different and wherefore one in particular may be a better bill of single parent families and their marginalisation and disadvantage in society, which leads to power and privilege shown towards them. 6 Functionalist Theory The Functionalist theory sees levels in society as a comparison to the clement body. It sees the social system to be made up of different interconnected parts and if any of these organisms break down, the rest of society will malfunction.Functionalists approve of social order and view inequality as lifelike and necessary where everyone gets their due. In addition, they see social change as riotous on the system unless it happens gradually and social stratification is useful in maintaining constancy in society. It sees those with special talent as deserving of the social reward and privilege (wealth, power, prestige) but fails to explain the place of those in society where their social status is ascribed or inherited, and not achieved.As such, the Functionalist theory sees single parent families and the disadvantages they experience as necessary to maintain social order and believe they receive what their position in society is worthy of. Sociology Australian Connections. 2007 7 Conflict Theory The Conflict Theory originates from the thoughts of Karl Marx who studied societies throughout history. Ma rx believed that social change emerges through the struggle and conflict being played out between social classes.The Conflict Theory sees social stratification as a result of groups becoming rich and powerful because preserving their own interests above those in lower classes. Conflict theorists view tension, hostility, competition and differences as a permanent and inevitable feature of societies. The key idea in the Conflict Theory is that social order is label by conflict and maintained by force. It states that life chances are less for members of subordinate and powerless groups who have substandard opportunities, which in the case of single parents, is the limitations in income and housing that their situation has created.It is important to note that Conflict theorists do not see conflict as a minus force, more that it has many consequences bringing about social change. Sociology reinvigorated York, 1987 Sociology Themes and Perspectives, 2000. Of the two theories, the Co nflict theory more suitably explains the disadvantage and marginalisation see by single parent families. The rising number of single parent families is due to their low level of income forcing them into a lower social class and as such, their level of class hinders their access to power in society.Due to their want of power and marginalisation in comparison to married parents, the opportunities of single parents are limited to those that they can afford and find time for and it has proven to be a brutal cycle that is very difficult to break. The rising number of single parents and disadvantages they experience in comparison married parents has been an issue for some(a) time and so, as the Conflict theory states, these differences are bound to bring about change in the future. For these reasons, the Conflict Theory is a better explanation of single parent families.Conclusion Evaluation and Decision Making Single parent families are one of Australias most underprivileged and power less groups. In particular, single mothers have shown to be the most disadvantaged group and experience the highest level of financial disadvantage and are most marginalised in their housing accessibility. Because most single parent families are headed by women, single mothers are limited in their access to power because it is a constant struggle to balance earning an income with family duties.As such, single mothers do not receive the same privileges as married parents because they are restricted in their ability to earn a high income which limits the opportunities available to them. Single fathers have shown to be less disadvantaged than single mothers but still experience hardship in relation to home ownership. The research has proven that the disadvantage experienced by single parent families has shown no signs of improvement and married parents continue to have a much greater level of power and more privilege in society. As the Conflict theory states, when there is conflict bet ween two groups in society single and married parents), it is apprenticed to bring about social change. For that reason, the rising number of single parents in Australia is not necessarily a negative force, but one that is demonstrating the need for reform in the Government support and privileges that single parent families so desperately need. 1 Recommendations and Implications It can be seen from the primary and secondary sources of information that single parents experience the greatest disadvantage in their ability to work full time to earn a high income and their ability to purchase a home.Thus, it is recommended that the Government puts in place certain programs and accompaniment to ensure that the marginalisation of single parents is change magnitude and that the equality between married and single parents is made level. This can be achieved by providing single parents with child care grants that provide single parents with the opportunity to work full time without having the burden of child care costs. In addition, the government should provide single parents with grants to purchase a home to ensure that their single income does not restrict their access to home ownership.Furthermore, grants for everyday necessities such as groceries and fuel should be provided so that single parents have a higher chance of being able to save money. Finally, the government should create some programs for single parents that give them advice on how to advancele work and family duties and how they can save money even on a low income. These suggestions may cost taxpayers more money, but at the end of a day, if society wants to live in an egalitarian society, these are the first steps that must be taken in order to achieve this. Appendix Figure 11 pic Figure 12 pic Figure 13 pic Bibliography bind Base. 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