Abstract

        In this paper we argue that the well-being of children with married parents is greater than that of children with other marital statuses, and, given worship frequency of the parent, the well-being is also higher for children with married rather than unmarried parents.

        The great majority of children under 18 in 2001 lived with married parents rather than common-law, separated or divorced, or single or widowed parents. For Canada the percentages are 72%, married parents; 11%, separated or divorced; 11% common-law; 6%, single or widowed.

        The economic well-being of children with married parents is higher than other children in many respects: a higher likelihood of living in a single family dwelling, having a university educated parent, having a parent who does not worry over money, has not received social assistance, and who has higher personal and household income.

        The social well-being of the children with married parents is likely to be higher: the child is less likely to be an only child, or to have a main parent who has poor or fair physical health, whose sleep is usually restless, who works or works weekends.

        The emotional well-being of the child with a married parent is higher: one is less likely to live in a home where it is hard to discuss sadness or concerns, where there are bad feelings, or where drinking is a source of tension. Moreover, the main parent and spouse, if present, will be less likely to smoke.

        The spiritual well-being of the child with married parents is higher as measured by the parent's volunteering in the community (indicating commitment to others), regular worship and religious affiliation.

        Finally, the support system for the family and child with married parents is stronger and more established because of greater use of support from friends, doctors, counselors, and religious leaders; and household presence of both mother and father is more likely than if the parents live common-law.

        Children of married parents are most likely to have a regularly (at least monthly) worshipping parent: 42%, compared with 13% for common-law parent, 27% for separated or divorced parent, and 24% for a single or widowed parent. These rates tend to be highest in Atlantic Canada and Saskatchewan and lowest in Quebec.

        Given regular worship, the child with married parents is found to have higher well-being than children with unmarried parents in the case of most indicators examined. Similar results may be noted in charts for the children of married and unmarried parents who worship less often than monthly, and not at all.