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Never-married childless women in Australia: Health and social circumstances in older age

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  • Cwikel, Julie
  • Gramotnev, Helen
  • Lee, Christina

Abstract

A growing proportion of women reach older age without having married or having children. Assumptions that these older women are lonely, impoverished, and high users of social and health services are based on little evidence. This paper uses data from the Older cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health to describe self-reported demographics, physical and emotional health, and use of services among 10,108 women aged 73-78, of whom 2.7% are never-married and childless. The most striking characteristic of this group is their high levels of education, which are associated with fewer reported financial difficulties and higher rates of private health insurance. There are few differences in self-reported physical or emotional health or use of health services between these and other groups of older women. Compared with older married women with children, they make higher use of formal services such as home maintenance and meal services, and are also more likely to provide volunteer services and belong to social groups. Overall, there is no evidence to suggest that these women are a "problem" group. Rather, it seems that their life experiences and opportunities prepare them for a successful and productive older age.

Suggested Citation

  • Cwikel, Julie & Gramotnev, Helen & Lee, Christina, 2006. "Never-married childless women in Australia: Health and social circumstances in older age," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(8), pages 1991-2001, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:62:y:2006:i:8:p:1991-2001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhenmei Zhang & Mark D. Hayward, 2001. "Childlessness and the Psychological Well-Being of Older Persons," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 56(5), pages 311-320.
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    2. Pachara Pimpawatin & Nopphol Witvorapong, 2023. "Direct and Indirect Effects of Parenthood on Later-Life Happiness: Evidence from Older Adults in Thailand," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 249-266, June.
    3. Florianne C. J. Verkroost, 2022. "A Bayesian multivariate hierarchical growth curve model to examine cumulative socio‐economic (dis)advantage among childless adults and parents," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 185(4), pages 2234-2276, October.
    4. Newton, Nicky J. & Ryan, Lindsay H. & King, Rachel T. & Smith, Jacqui, 2014. "Cohort differences in the marriage–health relationship for midlife women," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 64-72.
    5. Christina Musalek & Sylvia Kirchengast, 2017. "Grip Strength as an Indicator of Health-Related Quality of Life in Old Age—A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-12, November.
    6. Celia Lo & Tyrone Cheng & Gaynell Simpson, 2016. "Marital status and work-related health limitation: a longitudinal study of young adult and middle-aged Americans," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(1), pages 91-100, January.

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