Term: Single Parent (formerly Lone Parent)

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2024-03-12

Definition:

Refers to the parent of a family in which there is only one parent. Also known as lone parent. In Heaman et al. (2012), it is derived from the Families First Screen and refers to a mother who identifies herself as the sole primary care giver for the child (includes unmarried, separated, widowed, divorced, common-law relationship of less than one year).

Related concepts 

• Family Structure Overview - Links to Family Structure Data and Related Concepts and Glossary Terms
• Maternal and Newborn Health Status Indicators

Related terms 

• Families First Screen (FFS) / Screening Form
• Marital Status
• Single Parent Family (formerly Lone Parent Family)

References 

• Heaman M, Kingston D, Helewa M, Brownell M, Derksen S, Bogdanovic B, McGowan K, Bailly A. Perinatal Services and Outcomes in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] (View)
• Statistics Canada. "Lone-parent family.” Definitions, data sources and methods. September 9, 2021. (Published on Statistics Canada website: https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3Var.pl?Function=Unit&Id=236985 - accessed on February 20, 2024). [Summary] (View)