Publication | Closed Access
The potential of child support to reduce lone mother poverty: comparing population survey data in Australia and the UK
28
Citations
0
References
2017
Year
Family MedicinePopulation PovertyPublic WelfareLone MothersInvoluntary ChildlessnessChild CarePovertyPoverty AlleviationLone Mother PovertyPublic HealthEconomic InequalityChild SupportHuman WelfareHealth SciencesPublic PolicyChild Well-beingMaternal HealthPopulation Survey DataPoverty MeasurementSociologyDemographySocial PolicyHousehold Income
This paper assesses the contribution that child support makes to Australian lone mothers’ income packages and the proportion lifted out of poverty as a result. Using the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) dataset, we compare the results to a study conducted in the UK. Child support payments were more likely to be received in Australia and, when received, payments reduced lone mothers’ poverty rate by 21 per cent, a greater extent than in the UK. These findings provide important insights for Australia and the UK where debates continue about the configuration of the system and enforcement mechanisms.