To wonder what this interview question has got to do with how well I can do a job?

[Pinkfeather2019]

Im a single parent and I’m in my mid 20s. I had an interview last week. Was told I would hear back this week with an update. I’ve been thinking about how it went but I was asked this question and I’m wondering what relevance it has. The employee even said he wasn’t sure if he could ask this question. He said ‘what’s your home situation, do you still live with your parents?’ I’m just confused why this question would come up. Any ideas?

Did he know you were a single parent? He might’ve been attempting to work out how much support/childcare you have?
NOT his business! And I’m appalled that there are women on here who think it is.
I was a lone parent. The only people I worked with who ever let lack of childcare disrupt work were married men… whose wives were ill.

Nothing about your personal situation outside of the job is their business.

I would check actually what are the laws around this. I interview for my company and we were given training to stress not to ask about personal circumstances and not even ask how they got to the building (train vs car etc). I don't see how this is ok.