Between 1970 and 1988, the number of single parents with children under 18 in the home more than doubled from 3.8 million to 9.4 million. This dramatic rise is reflected in the increase of single-parent families as a proportion of all family groups with children: from 13 percent in 1970 to 27 percent in 1988. This increase is one of the most important recent changes in family composition, with major implications for poverty and social welfare programs.

The total number of single parents is made up of those who maintained their own households with their children under 18 (families) and those who lived in someone else's household with their children (subfamilies); about 1 of 5 single parents lived in someone else's household.

Others in Series

Publication

China's Escalating Consumer Markets

August 1987

This Brief describes recent trends in consumption in China using data collected by the Chinese government.

Publication

Who's Helping Out? Support Networks Among American Families

November 1988

This Brief focuses on the individual financial support networks which supplement the incomes of persons living in different households.

Publication

Blacks in America

January 1990

This Brief, based on recent data collected in ongoing surveys, touches on a few of the changes Black Americans have experienced during the 1980's.

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Related Information

Children Publications

Families and Households Publications

Current Population Survey (CPS)

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