The study found that many low-income single parents experience close to full-time jobs with brief periods of lay-off or lower hours. They often struggle to make ends meet due to limited benefits from their employers, leading to a weaker safety net for children.
A study by Mark King and Andrew Cherlin reveals that 22% of low-income children have involved surrogate fathers who take on daily childcare responsibilities. The most significant predictor of this phenomenon is the mother's union status and age, with single mothers and young mothers more likely to have relative surrogate fathers.
The study highlights how low-income families struggle with health problems that significantly impact their ability to transition from welfare to permanent work. The researchers found that caregivers often neglect their own health needs to care for family members, and there are gaps in coverage and access to services.