The changing face of Aussie families

Family units with one parent are increasing, and the rate of fertility is falling further.

In recent years, numerous popular television shows reflect a typical family life. These families today are considered to be a minority, especially in Australia.

The characters range from the cartoons from of The Simpsons to the Dunphys from Modern Family, the Keatons from Family Ties, the Taylors on Home Improvement and The Baroness from Everybody Loves Raymond, the Bundys in Married with Children or even the Roses in Schitt’s Creek – the majority of us have been raised on a constant motif of the nuclear family.

Australian families have experienced radical changes in the last five decades, and also significant social and demographic changes

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FAMILY STUDIES (AIFS) SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW LIXIA QU

“These changes have had a significant impact on family life and individual wellbeing.”

One of the biggest social changes Australia has had to face over the past 50 years has not just seen it double the size of its population (from 12.7 million people in 2001 to 25.4 million by 2021) but also the rise in Australians born abroad (from 20% from 1971 up to 28 percent to 2021).

Additionally, the 2021 Census revealed that more than half of Australians have parents born abroad, contributing to our society’s multiculturalism.

“typical” family

One significant change in family structure over the past 50 years has been the growth of single-parent families.

“In 1981, 15.5 per cent of families with dependent children were one parent families, but in 2021 that has risen to 21.8 per cent,” Qu.

For the first time this year, it was the first time that the 2021 Census recorded more than a million single-parent families, which includes families with no children younger than 15 years old. Four out of five single parents were mothers.

Another significant shift can be seen in the fact that mothers are having fewer children, with 2020 being the year with the lowest overall fertility rate of 1.58.

“Two children have become the most common family size while ‘only’ children or no children have been on the rise,” she says.

Women are also choosing to have their first baby later. In 1991, 23 percent of women had children at first over 30 years old. In 2019, the figure has nearly doubled to 51 percent.

Couples aren’t as interested in getting married as they were in generations before them.

As of 1970, the number of marriages was 116,066. In 2019, there were 113,815 married despite the rise in the population.

In 2020, 78,989 weddings were registered. The pandemic and the restrictions on marriages could be a reason for the drastic decline.

For 2020, 3.7 percent of marriages registered were by couples who were same-sex marriages, representing 61.4 percent, and male similar-sex unions accounted for 38.5 percent.

“While the marriage rate has fallen, cohabitation has become more common, especially among young people,” Qu. Qu.

“Divorce rates have been declining in the past decade. However, divorce statistics do not reflect the divorces that occur in cohabiting relationships.

“With the rise in cohabitation, divorce statistics are no longer a good proxy for gauging overall relationship stability.”

 

Mothers working in the workforce

In the last few years, there has been a rise in the number of mothers who are employed working.

The year 1966 was the first time the proportion of women was approximately 30 percent of the working population, and by 2020, they accounted for more than half.

The most common element across every generation is the fact that females’ employment is lowest during the time of childbirth for each generation. This age has been steadily increasing over the years, reflecting women’s decision to start children later in their lives, ranging from thirty years old in 1966 to 35 in 2000.

In 2021, over two-thirds of couples with dependents were employed by both parents in one family. With dependents, the percentage of single mothers worked in comparison to 75.8 percent of single fathers.

With both parents expected to work, the problem families face is who will be responsible for the child’s care.

“With the increasing labour force participation of mothers, the use of formal child care has risen across all age groups while there has been a decline in the use of informal care,” says Qu.

The 2021 Census data revealed a drastic reduction in the number of grandparents who care for their grandchildren. This is a potential result of the epidemic and one to be aware of in the event that it persists. Families have been involved in traditional early education as well as support.

Qu states that the most pressing problem families face is the challenge of juggling family and work obligations, and that includes the need to find affordable and high-quality childcare.

“Our research highlights the use of formal child care was higher for employed single-parent families than couple-parent families with both parents employed,” Qu adds.

“Single-parent family members and couple families with children had to face various childcare issues.

“Employed single parents had more difficulties in obtaining care for unforeseen circumstances, like sickness or school holidays.

“On the other hand, couple families with both parents employed were more likely to report having difficulties finding a child care place.”

Another issue that is currently affecting families is the rising cost of living and the availability of affordable housing due to the rise in the cost of living and increasing housing costs.

In terms of being in tune with the ever-changing family and its demands, Qu explains that support systems are typically not up to date with the needs or requirements.

“Social, demographic and economic conditions change and thereby lead to new challenges, new demands and new needs,” she adds.

“It is important for policy makers, informed and supported by research, to recognise emerging issues.”