Single Parenthood in the United States By Joe Wickham

What is single-parenthood?  A person who has a dependent child or dependent children and who is widowed, divorced, or unmarried (dictionary.com).  The single parent will take care of all daily responsibilities for the children, which is oftentimes even a struggle for two parents.  Income, food, shelter, clothing, daycare, transportation, etc.  A person who has a dependent child or dependent children and who is widowed, divorced, or unmarried (dictionary.com).  The single parent will take care of all daily responsibilities for the children, which is oftentimes even a struggle for two parents.  Income, food, shelter, clothing, daycare, transportation, etc.

Why did I choose this topic?  My parents got divorced when I was 8 years old.  I’ve lived with my mom for the last 12 years, and she has done it all on her own.  I have 2 younger sisters, and a younger brother, all of which I try to set a good example for.  I have seen first-hand the pros and cons of having a multi-parent household vs a single- parent household.  My parents got divorced when I was 8 years old.  I’ve lived with my mom for the last 12 years, and she has done it all on her own.  I have 2 younger sisters, and a younger brother, all of which I try to set a good example for.  I have seen first-hand the pros and cons of having a multi-parent household vs a single- parent household.

What’s the big deal?  As of 2011, single parents are raising 35% of the nation’s children (everydaylife.com).  There are approximately 13.7 million single parents in the United States today, and those parents are responsible for raising 22 million children (singleparents.about.com).  Since 1960, the percentage of children living in single parent homes has nearly tripled.  As of 2011, single parents are raising 35% of the nation’s children (everydaylife.com).  There are approximately 13.7 million single parents in the United States today, and those parents are responsible for raising 22 million children (singleparents.about.com).  Since 1960, the percentage of children living in single parent homes has nearly tripled.

Does ethnicity have any effect?  The rising percentages of births that are out of wedlock vary strongly by race, are likely a good contributor to the problem.  About 16% of white children live with single moms, compared to 27% percent of Latino children and 52% percent of African American children (everydaylife.com).  The rising percentages of births that are out of wedlock vary strongly by race, are likely a good contributor to the problem.  About 16% of white children live with single moms, compared to 27% percent of Latino children and 52% percent of African American children (everydaylife.com).

Single Mothers vs Single Fathers Mothers  Approximately 82.2% of custodial parents are mothers (singleparents.about.com).  31.2% poverty rate.  76% of custodial single mothers are gainfully employed.  $30,000/year Mothers  Approximately 82.2% of custodial parents are mothers (singleparents.about.com).  31.2% poverty rate.  76% of custodial single mothers are gainfully employed.  $30,000/year Fathers  17.8% of custodial parents (approximately 1 in 6) are fathers (singleparents.about.com).  16.1% poverty rate.  85.1% of custodial single fathers are gainfully employed.  $42,000/year

Poverty As you can see, if the parents are not married, the probability of a child living in poverty drastically increases.

Conclusion  In conclusion, there are certainly some alarming statistics pertaining to single-parenthood. While it is not a favorable situation for the child, or the parent for that matter, the rates of single parenthood seem to be steadily increasing. Ultimately this puts added pressure on the parent to support the child; however, this could potentially be avoided going forward if things are carefully planned out in advance. Hopefully we can reflect back on these results in a decade or so and see marked improvement.

Works Cited  Dawn. Single Mother Statistics. 3 May Web May.  Freisen, Karen. Facts on Single Parents. n.d. Web. 7 May  Kim, Robert Rector and Christine. Fiscal Distribution Analysis of Single-Parent Families in the United States. 10 November Web. 7 May  Venator, Richard Reeves and Joanna. The Marriage Crisis Hurts Social Mobility. 3 October Web. 7 May  Wolf, Jennifer. Single Parent Statistics. 24 November Web. 7 May  Dawn. Single Mother Statistics. 3 May Web May.  Freisen, Karen. Facts on Single Parents. n.d. Web. 7 May  Kim, Robert Rector and Christine. Fiscal Distribution Analysis of Single-Parent Families in the United States. 10 November Web. 7 May  Venator, Richard Reeves and Joanna. The Marriage Crisis Hurts Social Mobility. 3 October Web. 7 May  Wolf, Jennifer. Single Parent Statistics. 24 November Web. 7 May 2015.

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