Impact of marital status on children’s lives ‘over-estimated’, according to new study

A new study suggests policies aimed at promoting marriage are misinformed as the marital status of parents has less of an impact on the lives of children than other factors.

A study published in the Economic and Social Review by academics from the University of Limerick claims “much of the benefits of marriage are not related to marriage per se but to the socio-economic background of mothers”.

One of the co-authors, UL sociology lecturer Dr Brendan Halpin, said more focus could be placed on keeping young girls in education and supporting families in straitened financial circumstances.