One parent, multiple faces : trends in the socioeconomic profiles of single fathers in Belgium, 1991-2019
(2025)
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- Abstract
- In recent decades, single parenthood in Belgium has become increasingly diverse, with single fatherhood becoming more common. To date, however, research on single parenthood has focused primarily on mothers, reflecting both their greater prevalence and their socioeconomic vulnerability. This dissertation investigates the socioeconomic inequalities associated with contemporary single fatherhood (and motherhood) in Belgium, drawing on administrative data from 1991 to 2019. By focusing on single fathers, the research shows the impact of socioeconomic factors, gender norms, and post-separation parenting dynamics. It also reveals a Belgian context shaped by relatively progressive family policies and an egalitarian legal framework, yet marked by the persistence of traditional parental practices. Overall, this dissertation highlights gender differences in the socioeconomic determinants and consequences of contemporary single parenthood in Belgium. Single fathers face economic disadvantages, as do single mothers. However, single fathers are often better off than them, reflecting persistent gender inequalities in caregiving responsibilities and access to economic resources.
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Citations
Fadel, L. (2025). One parent, multiple faces : trends in the socioeconomic profiles of single fathers in Belgium, 1991-2019. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/248804