Parent-Absent Children: A Demographic Analysis of Children and Adolescents Living apart from Their Parents

A statistical profile using data collected by the U. S. Census Bureau is presented of those children and adolescents who were living apart from their parents, referred to in this report as "parent-absent children." Data obtained from the 1981 Current Population Report indicated that in 1980 2,295,000 or 3.7% of all unmarried noninstitutionalized children under 18 years of age were not living with either of their parents. A large majority of these children were living in families with some relative, usually their grandparents, and a minority were living outside of families in group quarters, such as boarding schools. The percentage of parent-absent children increased between 1975 and 1979, especially among black preteenagers. Possible reasons for parent absence are discussed, along with directions for future research.