In the United States, single-mother households are becoming increasingly prevalent, with the number of children raised by single mothers more than doubling over the past 50 years. It has become the second-most common living arrangement for children in the country, surpassed only by children living with cohabitating parents. Notably, the U.S. leads the world in the number of children raised by single parents, primarily single mothers.
Single mothers and their children face particularly challenging economic circumstances. Research indicates that single mothers are at a higher risk of living in poverty compared to those in cohabitating arrangements. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Supplemental Poverty Measure reveals that nearly a quarter of single-female-headed households, precisely 23.9 percent, live in poverty.
Economic policies in the United States have not sufficiently adapted to support single mothers and their families. Current social infrastructure policies have only marginally improved the conditions for single mothers and their children, primarily because targeted income support programs fall short of alleviating poverty.
The U.S. Congress, along with the second Trump administration, has the potential to enhance support for single mothers and their children. Recent analyses from the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, published by Share Our Strength’s Center for Best Practices, highlight the specific needs of these young families. These analyses argue that government income support programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Child Tax Credit, Unemployment Insurance, and Medicaid not only aid young families, particularly those led by single mothers, but also promote stronger long-term economic growth in the United States.
Despite the compelling evidence, congressional debates over tax and budget policies in 2025 have already revealed intentions to cut these essential programs. These debates, often fueled by divisive rhetoric, threaten to undermine support for single-mother households in favor of tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations. The tax cuts enacted during the first Trump administration substantially benefited these privileged groups and are scheduled to expire in September. Republican members of Congress and the new Trump administration are now contemplating extensive cuts to vital social infrastructure that provides income support to single-mother households and other vulnerable families.
To delve deeper into the economic status of single mothers and the policies suited to bolster their economic outcomes, readers can refer to the column “Three policies to improve economic outcomes for single mothers and their children across the United States.” Notably, recently implemented policies, particularly the temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit during the COVID-19 pandemic, have shown effectiveness in reducing poverty among single mothers.
The positive impact of this tax credit underscores potential pathways for lawmakers. Evidence also points towards other policies that can ensure robust economic security and promote equitable growth, such as eliminating work requirements for income supports, streamlining access to income supports, and enhancing child care infrastructure.
Research has demonstrated that imposing work requirements does not foster a greater desire to find employment. Instead, such requirements often deter participation in essential income support programs, including the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Medicaid. For a more thorough insight, readers can refer to “Factsheet: Eliminating work requirements can support single mothers and foster equitable U.S. economic growth.”
Income support programs, including Unemployment Insurance and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, are pivotal for a strong economy. During economic downturns, these programs help stabilize the macroeconomy by maintaining spending and consumption levels, even amidst rising unemployment rates. Single-mother households, in particular, face significant risks of poverty and possess lower wealth compared to other household types in the U.S.
Access to income supports enables these households to cover basic living expenses, which research indicates can yield long-term advantages for enhancing intergenerational economic mobility and mitigating economic inequality. For further information, readers can explore “Factsheet: Streamlining income supports can help single mothers and foster equitable U.S. economic growth.”
A significant portion of families in the United States lacks a robust support network for child-rearing. It is estimated that about half of U.S. families reside in child care deserts, defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as areas containing more than three children under age five for every licensed child care spot. Recent surveys reveal that finding child care poses a major barrier, with 79 percent of single-parent families reporting difficulty in securing adequate care. When families do manage to find care, the cost is often prohibitive, especially for single-mother households. More details are available in “Factsheet: Improving child care infrastructure supports single mothers and promotes equitable growth in the United States.”
Despite substantial evidence, uncertainty looms over whether the second Trump administration and the Republican majorities in the 119th U.S. Congress will pursue policies aimed at relieving the child care challenges faced by families. Nonetheless, several bipartisan efforts are currently under consideration in Congress. It appears that the primary focus will be on intensifying work requirements, aiming to curtail federal expenses and limit access to income support for low-income families, particularly single-mother households, while potentially advancing tax cuts for wealthier individuals and corporations.
Tax cuts are fundamentally not a viable solution for fostering economic growth or assisting young parents in preparing their children for the second half of the 21st century. In contrast, proactive tax reforms proposed for 2025 could significantly benefit the U.S. economy and support young families for the foreseeable future.
image source from：https://equitablegrowth.org/improving-economic-outcomes-for-single-mothers-and-their-children-across-the-united-states/
