marital status vs. family status

[Torsten]

Until recently I wasn't aware that there is the term 'family status' in English. To me, this sounds pretty German. So what is the difference between 'marital status' and 'family status'?

Thanks,
Torsten

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[Alan]

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Hi Torsten,

I share your unawareness. Possibly it's an Americanism!!!

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Topaze]

Hi, Torsten,

The term ‘family status’ does indeed exist; however, it is not synonymous with ‘marital status’. The former is a bit vague but tends to refer to being related to someone by blood or adoption, while the latter refers strictly to the state of being single, married, divorced etc. For example, the marital status of a married person who has a child and that of another married person who has no children will be the same; their family status, however, will not.