Single Parent Families in Kalmykia (a case study based on statistical data)

The article deals with a type of families - the single parent family - the number of which has been increasing dramatically in recent decades. Statistical data signify that there is regional disparity in terms of the proportion of single parent families within the common structure of family units. The incomplete family rate in the Republic of Kalmykia is the highest one among the regions of the Southern Federal District. Broken down by districts and the republic at large, analyses of data on the basic factors that cause single parenting have been conducted. A single parent family appears as a result of family disruption (divorce, death of the spouse) or births of children to an officially unmarried woman. The statistical data analysis testifies of an increase in the number of divorces and illegitimate births. The 1989, 2002 and 2010 Censuses results denote a growth in the number of incomplete families: the share increased from 12,9 % to 31,8 % of the total number of families. Calculations of the relative share of single parent families in the districts of the republic help single out territories with high indices (over 30 %) and those with lower ones (below 25 %) within the common structure of family units. Analysis of statistical data on divorce allowed to identify districts with the highest growth of divorce rates during 1995 through 2013 (Ketchenerovsky, Maloderbetovsky and Yustninsky Districts). Analysis of data on illegitimate births allowed to conclude that the relative share of children born to officially unmarried women has decreased. The trend is also common for most of the districts, with the only exception being Priyutnensky District where there is a high rate of illegitimate births. Besides, there has been an inverse trend in the district during the past decade - the share of children born to officially unmarried women increased from 25,6 % to 42,8 % of the total numbers of births in 2000 and 2012 respectively.

single parent family, incomplete family, divorce, divorce rates, illegitimate births

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