Parenthood and life satisfaction

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between parenthood and life satisfaction in a Chinese population according to a strain perspective. Chinese single parents in Hong Kong were found to have lower life satisfaction, less time to fulfill child-care tasks, lower income, and perceived child care as more difficult than those in dual-parent families. Findings of the path analysis further indicated a direct relationship between single parenthood and lower life satisfaction, after controlling for time sufficiency of child-care responsibilities and perceived difficulties in child care.