What factors contribute to the obstacles which children who are raised by single parents are likely to face throughout their lifetime?

EDUCATION - In Shelby County, 22% of all single women who gave birth in 2007 had less than a high school diploma.
31% of single female householders in Shelby County have less than a high school education. The percentage of single female householders increases to 70% when those with a high school diploma or equivalent are included.

AGE AT FIRST BIRTH - 94% of all women 19 years and younger in Shelby County who gave birth in 2007 were unmarried. Estimates suggest that teen pregnancy in 2007 cost Shelby County approximately $40.2 million (in 2004 dollars).

POVERTY - In 2006 Shelby County, children raised in families headed by a single parent were 15 times more likely to grow up in poverty than children in families headed by a married couple.
In 2006, 65% of children raised by single mothers are living in poverty in Shelby County. These children could fill the FedEx Forum nearly three times to capacity. Meanwhile, only 10% of children in Shelby County who are living with married parents are confronted with poverty.

What practices have been proven to mitigate the adverse outcomes associated with single parent births?

Early reading programs and high quality child development centers raise levels of academic success and reduce rates of teen and single parenthood.

Delaying first birth until a woman is 20 years old significantly improves the well being of children.

Learn more about prevention and intervention... Visit the Best Practices section of The State of Children in Memphis and Shelby County by clicking on this link and completing a brief registration.