Household and family composition

 

The Household SAR in particular has been of great value in understanding household and family composition. The hierarchical structure of the 1% SAR allows inter-relationship to be made between individuals within the same household or family, thus facilitating the detailed analysis of family and household composition including the ethnic mix of family structure and inter-ethnic unions. Research is also available on differences in patterns of leaving the parental home and in household/family formation amongst black, white and Asian men and women, particularly with regard to the role of marriage and cohabitation.

• Analysis of the ethnic mix of family structure
  The hierarchical structure of the 1% SAR allows inter-relationship to be made between individuals within the same household or family, thus facilitating the detailed analysis of family and household composition (Holdsworth and Dale, 1997). For example, only a small minority (15%) of Black Other children have both parents of the same ethnic group whereas an overwhelming majority (over 96%) of White, Indian and Chinese children have both parents of the same ethnic group. Over two thirds of Black Other children (69%) have both parents of different ethnicity. Among Black children of mixed origin, nearly two thirds (65%) have a White mother and Black father, reflecting the highest number of inter-ethnic unions of this type.
  
  
• Analysis of family formation, leaving home and cohabitation among ethnic groups
  Using the 1% SAR for people aged 16 to 35, Heath and Dale (1994) found very significant differences in patterns of leaving the parental home and household/family formation amongst black, white and Asian men and women, particularly with regard to the role of marriage and cohabitation. For example, between ages 22 and 28, Asian men, and to a lesser degree Asian women, were much more likely to live with parents than white and black men and women. As compared with black women, Asian women were also much more likely to be married than cohabiting. Moreover, young Asian men and women with families of their own were also more likely to live with their parents or parents-in-law. However, among those who are either born in the UK or who have higher educational qualifications, white, Asian and black women are not much different, although this does not extend to cohabitation.
  
  
• Analysis of inter-ethnic unions
  Berrington (1996), based on the 1% SAR, shows that cohabiting unions are relatively common among young White, Black-Caribbean, Black-African and Black-Other men and women, but remain unusual among the South Asian populations. In terms of inter-ethnic unions, 'Black Other' men were more likely to have white (52%) than 'Black Other' (42%) women as partners [Table 7.9]; for both men and women alike and for most of the ethnic minority groups, the younger cohort (aged 16-34) were more likely than the older groups (aged 35-59) to have white partners, with the 'Black Other' men and women having the greatest tendency [Table 7.10]. Controlling for social class and educational qualifications, 'Black' men were the most likely to have a white partner and, for women, the 'Other-Asian' group were most likely to have a white partner.