Life Chances study, stage 13

How has becoming or being a parent affected the economic security of participants in this longitudinal study?

SPARC’s Life Chances Study began in inner Melbourne in 1990 with 167 babies and their parents. Since then, stages of the study have focused on issues ranging from services for young children to challenges of finding a job.

Stage 13 explored how the experience of becoming and being a parent may be influenced by socioeconomic circumstances, gender and policy context. It investigated the role of policies such as paid parental leave, childcare and family assistance, and employment arrangements in enabling or impeding financial wellbeing and economic security for the participants in the study.

This stage included an online survey of all Life Chances participants, and follow-up interviews with a selected group of those who are parents.

Read the stage 13 report: Finding a balance? Work, family and economic security: insights from parents in the Life Chances study

Contact: Ursula Harrison or Dina Bowman

Read about other Stages of the Life Chances study