Alejandro Gonzalez

Laura Govoni

English 1302

November 21, 2014

Poor Parent

As the level of poverty rises in the United States many columnist and reporters are quick to point to unemployment rates and low wages. Much has been done in the form of government programs to help the less fortunate. Child health care, adult health care, supplemental food assistance, and housing programs were created as temporary fixes. Unfortunately, these quick fixes haven’t helped and I ask, why are we still struggling with poverty? I feel a majority of the issue lies with single mothers being left to fend for themselves while raising a child. Instead of addressing individual needs of the less fortunate, I believe the solution for poverty lies elsewhere and can substantially be changed overtime.

The correlation between poverty and divorce hasn’t been determined. As single-parent households continue to rise, the rate of poverty continues to follow suite. “Between 1967 and 1984, the proportion of single-parent families increased from 10 to 21 percent”(Health). This sharp increase in family structure also gave rise to a significant difference in poverty level. A significant shift in the poverty level was reported in 1973, a few short years after the rise in single-parent households.  “Changes of family structure are by far the major cause of initial spells of poverty among female-headed household.” Over time 99 percent of white female households studied and 97 percent of black female households continued with spells of poverty over time”(Health).

While mothers tend to the needs of their children they must take care of themselves but also their household. Economic stress and deprivation are bound to happen as the financial strains burden single mothers. The variable I have failed to mention is the father. I feel reform must be put in place other than child support and alimony. Many times the equation for determining such expense is outdated and fluctuates radically as the child gets older. I also feel divorce laws should be substantially changed.

Your initial impression when you hear the word family is the thought of man, woman, and child. Unfortunately, the landscape that best defines family within modern culture is mother and child. Government aid was created to help but unfortunately the problem with poverty persists. While we point at low wages and unemployment, state government is clearly helping in all the wrong ways.

Works Cited

Health, Julia A. "Determinants of Spells of Poverty Following Divorce." Review of Social Economy Vol. 50.Iss. 3 (2006): Pp. 305-315. Taylor & Francis Online. Routeledge Taylor and Francis Group. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/758537075?journalCode=rrse20#.VG_tEYdbu2y