SILC Module on Child Deprivation 2021

Parent and child-specific deprivation

SILC is the official source of national data on material and enforced deprivation.

A set of 11 basic deprivation indicators is collected annually in SILC:

1. Two pairs of properly fitting shoes
2. Buy new (not second-hand) clothes
3. A warm waterproof overcoat
4. Eat meal with meat, chicken, fish (or vegetarian equivalent) every second day
5. Have a roast joint or its equivalent once a week
6. Had to go without heating during the last year through lack of money
7. Keep the home adequately warm
8. Buy presents for family or friends at least once a year
9. Replace any worn out furniture
10. Have family or friends for a drink or meal once a month
11. Have a morning, afternoon or evening out in the last fortnight for entertainment

As stated in the introduction, most child-specific deprivation items were asked at the household level and not asked specifically of each child. Examples of child-specific deprivation items that were asked at the household level were shoes and clothes.

Inability to afford two pairs of properly fitting shoes and inability to afford new (not second-hand) clothes are part of the 11 basic deprivation indicators collected annually in SILC. Questions relating to these two indicators are asked individually of all household members aged 16 and over. It is therefore possible to compare the child-specific shoes and clothes deprivation rates with the comparable rates for parent(s).

Parents appear to prioritise the purchase of clothes for their children over themselves

¹ Households with at least one child under 16

In some households, parent(s) were able to afford new clothes for themselves but were unable to afford new clothes for their child/children (1.1% of households with children). In some other households, parent(s) could afford new clothes for their child/children but not for themselves (7.3% of households with children) and in 3.2% of households with children, parent(s) could not afford clothes for themselves or for their child/children.

The higher rate of parent(s) unable to afford new clothes for themselves but able to afford new clothes for their child/children is possibly the result of parents prioritising the purchase of clothes for their children.   

Likewise, in relation to shoes deprivation, in some households, parent(s) were able to afford two pairs of properly fitting shoes for themselves but were able to afford new clothes for their child/children (2.2 % of households). In other households, parent(s) could afford shoes for their child/children but not for themselves (2.7%) of households) and in 1.4% of households parent(s) could not afford clothes for themselves or their child/children.