So what's the "average" single parent really like? According to the U.S. Census Bureau...
As of August, 2007, there are approximately 13.6 million single parents in the United States,
and those parents are responsible for raising 21.2 million children (approximately 26% of children under 21 in the U.S.).
Approximately 84% of custodial parents are mothers, and 16% of custodial parents are fathers.
Of the mothers who are custodial parents:
∝44% are currently divorced or separated
∝33% have never been married
∝22% are married (In most cases, these numbers represent women who have remarried.)
∝1% were widowed
Of the fathers who are custodial parents:
∝57% are divorced or separated
∝24% are currently married (In most cases, these numbers represent men who have remarried.)
∝18% have never married
∝1% were widowed
∝79% of custodial single mothers are gainfully employed
50% work full time, year round
29% work part-time or part-year
∝92% of custodial single fathers are gainfully employed
74% work full time, year round
18% work part-time or part-year
∝27.7% of custodial single mothers and their children live in poverty
∝11.1% of custodial single fathers and their children live in poverty
∝31% of all single parents receive public assistance
∝Only 6% of single parents receive TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
∝37.7% of custodial mothers are 40 years old or older
∝56% of custodial mothers are raising one child from the absent parent
∝44% have two or more children living with them
Any and all information in this post has come from this website.
