The Data Behind Why We Work So Hard to Provide Single-Parent Family Support

The Data Behind Why We Work So Hard to Provide Single-Parent Family Support

At Cumberland Youth and Family Services, we work hard to care for the members of our community that require additional support. Whether we are helping youth in foster care or a single-parent family, the data behind their unquestionable need for support is apparent, given the right resources. When we all come together to support our community, we can make a difference in the lives of those that may not have otherwise been able to provide for themselves due to trauma or varying circumstances.

Here is everything you need to know about the data behind why we work so hard to provide single-parent family support in our community:

We See the Value of Our Support Every Day

Through our time providing single-parent family support, we have had the opportunity to see how a little bit of support can go a long way. We recently had a single mother from our Family Residential Program make great strides in her career and education. Through our program, our resident Jada received her high school diploma with honors this spring. She worked hard to complete the program with four children, all while working full-time in the middle of a pandemic. Since graduation, she has already started classes in a medical instrument sterilization program, which will guarantee that she never has to work a minimum wage job again. We are so proud of how far she has come.

The Highest Rate of Single-Parent Households

According to a recent Pew Research Study that surveyed over 130 countries, the United States has the world’s highest rate of children living in single-parent households. Almost a quarter of children under the age of 18 in the U.S. live in single-parent households, nearly tripling the 7% average of the rest of the world. Given this data, it is also important to note that children are much less likely to live with extended families in the United States. Here, 8% of children and teenagers under 18 are likely to live with their extended family, in comparison to the 38% average of the rest of the world. Meaning, that while children are much more likely to live in single-parent families, they are also much less likely to receive support from their extended families.

The Economics of Single-Parent Family Support

While we absolutely support those that choose to be single parents, we recognize that many individuals are forced into this circumstance without a proper way to provide for themselves. Most single-parent families are forced to rely on only one source of income, while two-parent households have the backing of dual-income to support their families.

Financial resources are stretched thin in these situations, with limited resources for necessary domestic support such as third-party childcare to allow for full-time employment. While 80.5% of single-parent families are likely to be supported by a single mother, 31% of these families live below the poverty line, and around 28% are food insecure. With numbers as high as these, it is clear why the need for single-parent family support is a required community need that cannot be overlooked.

Income Data for Single-Parent Households

According to a recent study, the income of single-parent households averages at $48,098 per year, as opposed to the median income for married couples being $102,308 per year. Even with an income at the national average, many single-parents struggle to support the needs of themselves and their children. Time and time again we encounter single-parent families who are struggling to keep up with the increasing cost of living. Abuse, domestic violence or trauma all play a part in creating a downward cycle that can be overwhelming for anyone to deal with on their own.

Support from Our Family Residential Program

The data behind why we work so hard to provide single-parent family support in our community is apparent to our team and many others in our field. We believe that with our support, we can help single-parent families get back on their feet through the variety of services offered at our agency. Our program provides stable, affordable and safe housing and supportive services to single-parent families so that they are able to become stable after unforeseen circumstances. We work with single-parent families who are employed but need help navigating the complexities of their life and past circumstances.

The situations that cause single-parent families to dip below the poverty line or require additional assistance are always different. No matter the situation, Cumberland Youth and Family Services is here to help single-parent families recover from previous circumstances and get back on their feet to support their families. We have witnessed our program be the saving grace for many families over the years, and we couldn’t be happier of how far many of our residents have come after a brief stay with our team.

Want to learn more about all of the programs we offer to youth in foster care and single-parent families? Check out our blog today!