Section 3: Demographic profile
Figure 1: Gender of children, and parents/guardians and grandparents (continued)
2%
Parents/guardians and grandparents were asked about their parenting roles. The majority (74%) of
respondents were mothers, followed by fathers (10%) and grandparents (9%).
>1%
13%
3.3 Parenting roles
Figure 3: Parenting role of respondents
Parents/
guardians and
grandparents
85%
Woman (n=2369)
Man (n=371)
A person who identified as
non-binary or other (n=9)
Did not wish to say (n=47)
>1%
3%
2%
9%
74%
2%
Mother (n=2067)
Father (n=285)
Guardian (n=49)
Grandparent (n=255)
Did not wish to say (n=53)
Other (n=79)
Did not answer question
(n=8)
10%
3.2 Who children live with
The majority of children surveyed (53%) stated that they either live with their parents or with parents,
siblings and other family members.
Children living with their immediate and extended family was higher for some groups. 69% of children
who reported they were from culturally or ethnically diverse backgrounds, and 65% of children who
reported they mainly speak another language at home other than English responded that they lived
with parents, siblings and family members.
3.4 Age of children
Figure 2: Who children live with
Most children responding to the survey were in the youngest and second youngest age groups
(66% aged 9–11 and 18% aged 12–13).
12%
The large proportion of children participating in the survey (aged 9–11) provides a rare insight into the
experience of children in this age group who are often under-represented in childhood research.11
3%
29%
1%
1%
53%
One or both of my
parent(s) (n=1321)
Figure 4: Age of children
Alone (n=25)
My guardian(s) (n=57)
Other family members,
but not my parents
(n=45)
My parents, siblings and
other family members
(n=2401)
Someone else (other)
(n=144)
Did not answer question
(n=566)
9%
8%
66%
9 to 11 years (n=3014)
12 to 13 years (n=804)
14 to 15 years (n=349)
16 to 17 years (n=392)
1%
18%
26 |
‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 27