Unmarried Mothers in Australia: A Review

An increase in both illegitimate births and in the number of single women retaining their offspring has become evident in all Commonwealth industrialized English-speaking countries. It is shown that women who bear ex-nuptial children are getting younger, and that about 40 per cent are keeping their children. All States show a gradual increase in ex-nuptial births, with those in Western Australia and Queensland rising to over 10 per cent of annual live births for the areas. Further research is needed on single women in Australia who keep their children.