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- Definition: Estimated percentage of children ages 0-17 living in households in which the householder resides with their unmarried same-sex partner (e.g., in 2012-2016, 0.2% of California children lived in cohabitating same-sex couple households).
- Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey microdata files (Feb. 2018).
- Footnote: Estimates are for children living in households and exclude children in group quarters and those who are householders, spouses, or unmarried partners. These estimates are based on a survey of the population and are subject to both sampling and nonsampling error.
Learn More About Family Structure
- Measures of Family Structure on Kidsdata.org
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On kidsdata.org, measures of children's family and household structure include: households with children ages 0-17, children living with parents or other relatives overall and by race/ethnicity, children in cohabitating couple households, children in cohabitating same-sex couple households, and children in the care of grandparents. Depending on the indicator, data come from the American Community Survey or Current Population Survey and are available for:
- California and the U.S., as single-year estimates
- Cities, school districts, and counties with 65,000 residents or more, as single-year estimates
- Cities, school districts, and counties with 10,000 residents or more, as 5-year estimates
- Legislative districts, as 5-year estimates
In addition, kidsdata.org's measures of youth housing situation present characteristics of where and with whom students in grades 7, 9, 11, and non-traditional programs live. These estimates come from the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) and are based on youth self-reports by grade level, gender, level of school connectedness,* parent education level, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation.State-level CHKS estimates, although derived from the Biennial State CHKS, may differ from data published in Biennial State CHKS reports due to differences in grade-level classification of students in continuation high schools.
*Levels of school connectedness are based on a scale created from responses to five questions about feeling safe, close to people, and a part of school, being happy at school, and about teachers treating students fairly. -
- Family Structure
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- Households with and without Children (Regions of 65,000 Residents or More)
- Living Arrangement for Children, by Presence of Parents (Regions of 65,000 Residents or More)
- Living Arrangement for Children, by Presence of Parents and Race/Ethnicity (California & U.S. Only)
- Children in Cohabitating Couple Households (Regions of 65,000 Residents or More)
- Children in Cohabitating Same-Sex Couple Households (Regions of 65,000 Residents or More)
- Children in the Care of Grandparents (Regions of 65,000 Residents or More)
- Youth Housing Situation, by Grade Level
- Demographics
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- Births
- Births, by Mother's Marital Status (California & U.S. Only)
- Child Population (Regions of 10,000 Residents or More)
- Child Population, by Race/Ethnicity (Regions of 10,000 Residents or More)
- Children in Rural and Urban Areas (California & U.S. Only)
- Child Population, by County
- Total Population
- Projected Child Population, by County
- Projected Total Population
- Family Income and Poverty
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- Median Family Income, by Family Type (Regions of 65,000 Residents or More)
- Income Level for Children Relative to Poverty, by Family Type (Regions of 65,000 Residents or More)
- Children Living in Low-Income Working Families (Regions of 65,000 Residents or More)
- Poverty Thresholds - California Poverty Measure, by Family Composition and Housing Tenure
- Children in Poverty - California Poverty Measure
- Children in Deep Poverty - California Poverty Measure
- Poverty-Reducing Effects of the Social Safety Net - California Poverty Measure, by Program Type and Poverty Level (California Only)
- Self-Sufficiency Standard, by Family Composition
- Families Living Below Self-Sufficiency Standard
- Student Demographics
- Homelessness
- Childhood Adversity and Resilience
- Housing Affordability and Resources
- Immigrants
- Foster Care
- Teen Births
- Why This Topic Is Important
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Child well being is strongly influenced by the family environment and the presence of caring, stable adults (1). While children can thrive in any kind of family structure (e.g., in the care of grandparents, single-parents, same-sex parents, etc.), the stability of the family and the nature of family relationships are important factors in child development (1, 2, 3). Research shows that unstable home environments can adversely affect children's health and well being (2, 3, 4). Financial stability is important, too, and is linked to family structure (3, 5, 6). For example, single and cohabiting parents are more likely than married parents to have lower incomes and experience financial difficulty (3, 5). Financial hardship can cause family stress and hinder the ability to provide the environment and experiences a child needs for optimal cognitive, emotional, and physical development (3, 6).
Kidsdata.org's family structure topic also includes data on youth housing situation, which can provide insight into stability and vulnerability in young people's lives. For example, youth living in multi-family (overcrowded) homes, in hotels/motels, or with friends may be homeless or at risk of homelessness. Poverty and housing insecurity put young people at risk of poor health and developmental outcomes throughout their life course (4, 6). Additionally, youth living in foster care or group homes are a particularly vulnerable population, facing increased risks of emotional, physical, behavioral, and academic problems (7).For more information, see kidsdata.org’s Research & Links section.
Sources for this narrative:
1. Center on the Developing Child. (2010). The foundations of lifelong health. Harvard University. Retrieved from: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/inbrief-the-foundations-of-lifelong-health
2. Too Small to Fail. (n.d.). ACEs, toxic stress, and the importance of relationships in supporting children's development. Clinton Foundation. Retrieved from: http://toosmall.org/body/ACES-2-Pager.pdf
3. Reeves, R. V., & Krause, E. (2017). Cohabiting parents differ from married ones in three big ways. Brookings Institution. Retrieved from: https://www.brookings.edu/research/cohabiting-parents-differ-from-married-ones-in-three-big-ways
4. Gaitán, V. (2019). How housing affects children's outcomes. How Housing Matters. Retrieved from: https://howhousingmatters.org/articles/housing-affects-childrens-outcomes
5. Child Trends Databank. (2019). Children in poverty. Retrieved from: http://www.childtrends.org/?indicators=children-in-poverty
6. American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Community Pediatrics. (2016). Poverty and child health in the United States. Pediatrics, 137(4), e20160339. Retrieved from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/137/4/e20160339
7. Haskins, R. (2017). A national campaign to improve foster care. Brookings Institution. Retrieved from: https://www.brookings.edu/research/a-national-campaign-to-improve-foster-care - How Children Are Faring
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In 2017, the estimated share of California households with one or more children ages 0-17 was 34%, down from 38% a decade earlier. Statewide, 64% of California children lived with two parents in 2017, 23% lived with their mother only, 8% with their father only, and 4% with non-parent relatives. Additionally, 9% of children lived in households with unmarried couples and 3% lived in the care of their grandparents. Across counties with data in 2013-2017, family structure varied widely, from 51% to 76% of children living in two-parent households, 0.3% to 16% living in cohabitating couple households, and 0.1% to 7% in the care of grandparents. In 2016, 0.1% of California children lived in households with unmarried same-sex couples, compared with 0.2% nationally.
According to a survey of California youth, around 9 out of every 10 students in Grades 7, 9, and 11 lived in a home with one or more parents or guardians in 2015-2017. During the same period, fewer than 1 in 20 lived in a home with more than one family, and fewer than 1 in 40 lived in the home of another relative. Statewide, students in non-traditional programs, those with low levels of school connectedness, and those whose parents did not finish high school are less likely to live in a parent's or guardian's home than their peers in other groups. - Policy Implications
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Families and caregivers provide an essential safety net for children. Public policy can help support and reinforce that safety net for the good of the family and for society at large. While children can thrive in any type of family structure, the stability of the family is critical for positive child development (1, 2). Stable home environments also are important, as children and youth without safe, secure housing are at risk for poor health outcomes (1, 3).
Family types have become increasingly diverse in recent decades, and research indicates that some families may need more support than others (4). Single- and cohabiting-parent families, for example, are more likely to live in poverty than married-parent families (4). In addition, non-parental caregivers, such as grandparents, may need information, financial and emotional support, and authority to provide for children in their care (5, 6). Further, families headed by same-sex parents may face challenges with social stigma and discrimination (7, 8).
Policy options that could support vulnerable families and increase their stability include:- Strengthening the social and financial safety net for low-income families and working parents so that they can reduce stress and promote stable environments for their children, e.g., through adequate cash assistance, child care subsidies, and evidence-based efforts (such as home-visiting programs) that provide parents/caregivers with information and support as needed (1, 2, 9)
- Promoting responsible fatherhood programs, especially for nonresidential fathers, that are comprehensive and address child support collection issues, paternal employment and education, and parenting skills (10)
- Supporting policies to reduce unintended pregnancies (e.g., through use of long-acting reversible contraception), as these are more likely to occur in and lead to unstable families (2)
- Ensuring that policies and programs are in place to boost educational attainment, particularly for young women, as education is a key predictor of family stability (2)
- Continuing to advance policies and strategies to ensure that relatives caring for children (e.g., grandparents) have the full range of support needed to provide for them, meet their education and health needs, and avoid placement in non-relative foster care (5, 6)
- Supporting policies and strategies aimed at reducing social stigma and discrimination against LGBTQ populations, as anti-gay policies and attitudes can negatively affect same-sex parents, their children, and LGBTQ youth (7, 8)
- Promoting policies and programs to ensure stable housing for vulnerable youth, including youth in foster care or the juvenile justice system, LGBTQ youth, and those who are disconnected from school and work (11)
- Promoting residential stability through cross-sector and local/state collaboration to increase the supply of affordable housing, address restrictive zoning and planning regulations, make housing more affordable to low-income families (e.g., through rental assistance), and provide permanent housing for families at risk of homelessness (12)
For more information, see kidsdata.org’s Research & Links section. Also see policy implications for kidsdata.org's Demographics, Foster Care, and Family Economics topics.
Sources for this narrative:
1. Center on the Developing Child. (2010). The foundations of lifelong health. Harvard University. Retrieved from: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/inbrief-the-foundations-of-lifelong-health
2. Reeves, R. V., & Krause, E. (2017). Cohabiting parents differ from married ones in three big ways. Brookings Institution. Retrieved from: https://www.brookings.edu/research/cohabiting-parents-differ-from-married-ones-in-three-big-ways
3. Gaitán, V. (2019). How housing affects children's outcomes. How Housing Matters. Retrieved from: https://howhousingmatters.org/articles/housing-affects-childrens-outcomes
4. Livingston, G. (2018). The changing profile of unmarried parents. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from: https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2018/04/25/the-changing-profile-of-unmarried-parents
5. Radel, L., et al. (2016). Children living apart from their parents: Highlights from the National Survey of Children in Nonparental Care. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from: https://aspe.hhs.gov/pdf-report/children-living-apart-their-parents-highlights-national-survey-children-nonparental-care
6. Generations United. (2018). State of grandfamilies 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.gu.org/resources/love-without-borders
7. Meyer, I. H. (2019). Experiences of discrimination among lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the U.S. Williams Institute. Retrieved from: https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/experts/ilan-meyer/lgb-discrim-experiences
8. Perrin, E. C., et al. (2019). Barriers and stigma experienced by gay fathers and their children. Pediatrics, 143(2), e20180683. Retrieved from: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/143/2/e20180683
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Preventing child maltreatment through the promotion of safe, stable, nurturing relationships between children and caregivers. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/CM_Strategic_Direction--Long-a.pdf
10. Astone, N. M., et al. (2016). Fathers' time with children: Income and residential differences. Urban Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.urban.org/research/publication/fathers-time-children
11. California Coalition for Youth. (2018). California's road map: Preventing and ending youth homelessness. Retrieved from: http://calyouth.org/californias-road-map-preventing-and-ending-youth-homelessness
12. Johnson, H., & Cuellar Mejia, M. (2019). California's future: Housing. Public Policy Institute of California. Retrieved from: https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-future-housing - Research & Links
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- Websites with Related Information
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- California Coalition for Youth
- California Dept. of Social Services: Foster Care
- Casey Family Programs
- Child Trends: Families and Parenting
- Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE)
- Council on Contemporary Families. University of Texas at Austin.
- Grandfamilies.org. American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, et al.
- Housing Matters. Urban Institute.
- National Center for Family and Marriage Research. Bowling Green State University.
- Pew Research Center Social and Demographic Trends: Household and Family Structure
- Williams Institute. UCLA School of Law.
- Key Reports and Research
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- Barriers and Stigma Experienced by Gay Fathers and Their Children. (2019). Pediatrics. Perrin, E. C., et al.
- Children Living Apart from Their Parents: Highlights from the National Survey of Children in Nonparental Care. (2016). U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Radel, L., et al.
- Cohabiting Parents Differ from Married Ones in Three Big Ways. (2017). Brookings Institution. Reeves, R. V., & Krause, E.
- Family Structure Experiences and Child Socioemotional Development During the First Nine Years of Life: Examining Heterogeneity by Family Structure at Birth. (2017). Demography. Bzostek, S. H., & Berger, L. M.
- Health and Well-Being of Children in Kinship Care: Findings from the National Survey of Children in Nonparental Care. (2017). Child Welfare. Bramlett, M. D., et al.
- How Many Same-Sex Couples in the U.S. Are Raising Children? (2018). Williams Institute. Goldberg, S. K., & Conron, K. J.
- Keeping Families Together: Why All Americans Should Care About What Happens to Unauthorized Immigrants. (2017). Center for American Progress. Mathema, S.
- Marriage and Child Wellbeing Revisited. (2015). The Future of Children.
- Moynihan+50: Family Structure Still Not The Problem. (2015). Council on Contemporary Families. Coontz, S. (Ed.)
- Parenting in America: Outlook, Worries, Aspirations are Strongly Linked to Financial Situation. (2015). Pew Research Center.
- Same-Sex and Different-Sex Parent Households and Child Health Outcomes: Findings from the National Survey of Children's Health. (2016). Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Bos, H. M. W., et al.
- State of Grandfamilies 2018. Generations United.
- The Changing Profile of Unmarried Parents. (2018). Pew Research Center. Livingston, G.
- The Role of the Family and Family-Centered Programs and Policies. (2015). The Future of Children. Berger, L. M., & Font, S. A.
- What Does the Scholarly Research Say About the Well-Being of Children with Gay or Lesbian Parents? Cornell University Center for the Study of Inequality.
- World Family Map 2019: Mapping Family Change and Child Well-Being Outcomes. Institute for Family Studies. Carroll, J. S., et al.
- County/Regional Reports
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- Important Facts About Kern’s Children. Kern County Network for Children.
- Key Indicators of Health by Service Planning Area. (2017). Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health.
- San Mateo County All Together Better. San Mateo County Health.
- Santa Monica Youth Wellbeing Report Card. Santa Monica Cradle to Career.
- More Data Sources For Family Structure
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- 2020 KIDS COUNT Data Book. Annie E. Casey Foundation.
- California Health Interview Survey. UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
- Childstats.gov. Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics.
- Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Princeton University & Columbia University.
- National Survey of Children in Nonparental Care. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- U.S. Census Bureau: Families and Living Arrangements
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