Family Policies and Children's School Achievement in Single- Versus Two-Parent Families

Authors: Suet-ling Pong¹; Jaap Dronkers²; Gillian Hampden-Thompson³

Source: Journal of Marriage and Family, Volume 65, Number 3, August 2003 , pp. 681-699(19)

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Abstract:

We investigate the gap in math and science achievement of third- and fourth-graders who live with a single parent versus those who live with two parents in 11 countries. The United States and New Zealand rank last among the countries we compare in terms of the equality of achievement between children from single-parent families and those from two-parent homes. Following a multilevel analysis, we find single parenthood to be less detrimental when family policies equalize resources between single- and two-parent families. In addition, the single- and two-parent achievement gap is greater in countries where single-parent families are more prevalent. We conclude that national family policies can offset the negative academic outcomes of single parenthood.

Keywords: academic achievement; family policy; family structure; international comparison; single-parent family

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2003.00681.x

Affiliations: 1: Penn State University, 310D Rackley Building, University Park, PA 16803, ( )., Email: pong@pop.psu.edu 2: Department of Political and Social Science, European University Institute, Via dei Roccettini 9, I-50016 San Domenico di Fiesole, Italy. 3: Penn State University, 310 Rackley Building, University Park, PA 16803.

Publication date: 2003-08-01