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Single Parents in High-Income Countries: What the United States Can Learn from Others

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  • Isabel V. Sawhill

Abstract

In the last 50 years, single parenthood has become more prevalent in the United States. As compared to other high-income countries, the United States does little to support single-parent families and they fare poorly as a result. This volume takes a comparative approach to extend our knowledge of the experiences of single parent families and the best approaches to support their well-being. By looking at the circumstances of single-parent families across many countries, this volume sheds light on important questions pertaining to child poverty and income inequality, the role of public assistance in supporting single-parent families, and the impact of this assistance on employment and marriage. In this article, I summarize the authors’ contributions in addressing these questions and present my own perspective on related issues, including the impact of single-parent families and cohabitation on children. I end with highlighting what researchers can learn from this volume and how U.S. policymakers can apply these lessons.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabel V. Sawhill, 2022. "Single Parents in High-Income Countries: What the United States Can Learn from Others," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 702(1), pages 226-235, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:702:y:2022:i:1:p:226-235
    DOI: 10.1177/00027162221123446
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Murray, Charles, 1993. "Welfare and the Family: The U.S. Experience," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 11(1), pages 224-262, January.
    2. Alberto Alesina & Edward Glaeser & Bruce Sacerdote, 2001. "Why Doesn't the United States Have a European-Style Welfare State?," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 32(2), pages 187-278.
    3. Hanming Fang & Michael P. Keane, 2004. "Assessing the Impact of Welfare Reform on Single Mothers," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 35(1), pages 1-116.
    4. Bruce D. Meyer & James X. Sullivan, 2008. "Changes in the Consumption, Income, and Well-Being of Single Mother Headed Families," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(5), pages 2221-2241, December.
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