familystatus

Family status refers to the position of individuals in relation to family structures, including marital or partner status, parental or dependent status, and caregiving roles. In sociology and demography, it is a variable describing an individual's family relationships and responsibilities, such as whether one is a parent, guardian, or caregiver, and whether one lives with dependents.

In statistics and surveys, "family status" is used to categorize households or individuals for data on income, housing, health, and labor market outcomes. Some datasets label a field "family status" (often as two words) or "familystatus" as a single token, mapping to categories like single, married, cohabiting, and presence of children or elderly relatives.

In law and policy, family status can influence rights and protections. Discrimination based on family status is prohibited in some jurisdictions (for example, in Canada’s human rights framework), covering issues like housing, employment, or access to services. Family status also underpins eligibility for benefits and obligations related to parenting, custody, and spousal support.

Socially, family status shapes economic opportunities and social responsibilities, including caregiving burdens, work-life balance, and access to childcare and tax benefits. Because family structures vary across cultures and over time, the concept of family status is dynamic and context-dependent.