Factors Determining the Employment of Single Mothers

In recent years, the number of single-mother households has increased. The income of single-mother households is lower than that of other households, a fact that is attributable in part to the high rate of non-full-time employment among single mothers. This study analyzes the employment selections of single-mothers using the Survey of Employment Support for Single Mothers conducted by the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training (JILPT) from December 2007 to January 2008. The following four conclusions can be drawn with regard to the employment selections of those who were unemployed immediately prior to becoming single mothers. (1) When the eldest child is under the age of six, older mothers and widows tend to have a lower probability of full-time employment; (2) nonemployment income decreases the probability that the mother will have non-full-time employment, but that effect is small; (3) the mother's employment format immediately after becoming a single mother has a historical effect on her current employment format; and (4) having a home helper certification raises the probability of full-time employment. Similar trends can be seen among those who had non-full-time employment immediately before becoming single mothers. This all suggests that employment support immediately after a woman becomes a single mother, that is, greater support to help those women obtain certifications in occupations currently in high demand, is necessary for promoting employment among single mothers. Particularly important to the promotion of full-time employment are expanded child-care options and efforts to make it easier for women to find full-time employment regardless of age.