A report into Irish family trends between 1987 and 1997, published today, has shown an increase in births occurring outside marriage and a substantial rise in lone parenthood.
The ESRI report "Family Formation in Ireland: Trends, Data Needs and Implications" showed an increase in births outside marriage from 5 per cent in 1980 to 32 per cent in 2000. The report said that although this was still a characteristic of women under 25, births outside marriage had also increased among older mothers.
The report also showed an increase in the number of lone parents during the 1980s and 1990s. Statistics demonstrated that in 1997 lone parents accounted for 12 per cent of children under 15 years of age and 14 per cent of families with children under 15 years of age.
The study showed that most research available on lone parents concentrated on young, unmarried women. The ESRI report said "there has been little research on older lone parents, reflecting a lack of research into marital breakdown and patterns of entry into second relationships."
Other "gaps" in existing data on family trends highlighted by the ESRI included fertility data, information on ‘absent’ parents, and research into older lone parents, separation, marital breakdown and divorce. The report also said there was a "major weakness in available data about fathers".
Launching the report the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern said the report would provide an important basis for future policy direction in the area of the family.
He said: "the research gives us very good information about the changing status of marriage in our society, new patterns of family formation, the increasing trend towards lone parenthood and the implications these have about the way the State responds to strengthen and support family life in the future".
Mr Ahern said he would be shortly asking the Government to consider the benefits of undertaking a National Longitudinal Study of Children, identified as a key measure under the National Children's Strategy .
Mr Ahern said such a study would focus on a significant number of children and families and examine their progress and well-being at critical periods from birth to adulthood.
By studying a representative sample of children over a period of time, Mr Ahern said, it is possible to identify the key factors which protect children in times of adversity and encourage their development.