ABSTRACT
The best sources are the Office of National Statistics (ONS, 1997) publication Social Focus on Families and the Family Policy Studies Centre's Fathers and Fatherhood in Britain. Lone fathers are usually older than lone mothers. Nine out of are aged 35 years or more. It is unsurprising, therefore, to find that the circumstances of lone fathers are somewhat different from those of lone mothers. Traditionally the role of fathers has been as breadwinner while mothers have cared for the home and family. This view is supported by legislation such as the Child Support Act 1991, focusing on fathers' responsibility to maintain their families financially. The Family Policy Studies Centre notes that according to the British Social Attitudes Survey of 1992, just over a half of British men (53%) and 42% of women agree that 'a husband's job is to earn money; a wife's job is to look after the home and family'.
