Study reveals youth poverty plight

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LONDON: Children raised by single mothers are twice as likely to misbehave as those born into traditional two-parent families, according to research.

Some 12 per cent of children brought up by one parent displayed series behavioural problems by the age of seven, it was disclosed, compared with just six per cent of youngsters raised by both natural parents.

The disclosure is made as part of a major study of around 14,000 children born in Britain between 2000 and 2002.

It found that family make-up, parental qualifications and household income had a major effect on children’s behaviour at a young age, which could have “damaging long-term consequences”.

In a separate analysis, researchers also discovered that children with younger mothers had a “much more difficult start in life” than those with mothers over 30.

They were far less likely to have married parents and more than seven times as likely to have step fathers, it was disclosed.

Lisa Calderwood, from London University’s Institute of Education, said: “Living apart from natural fathers can be associated with poverty and negative outcomes for children.”

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.

But previous studies have found children raised by lone mothers are likely to have less economic security, less attention and guidance and more likely to live in deprived areas.

A separate analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study – based at the Institute of Education – tracked the effect of mothers’ age on children’s early development.

It found those with mothers aged under 30 had to cope with “far more upheaval than other children during their first seven years”.

Four in 10 children with younger mothers experienced a significant family change, such as the arrival of a stepfather, compared with only 13 per cent of youngsters with mothers aged 40 and over.

The study called for further action to reduce teenage pregnancy to give children a more stable start in life.

"As these experiences are particularly concentrated among children of young mothers these findings provide support for policies aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy,” researchers said. “They also indicate that families with young parents may benefit from further targeted government support.”