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, 39% of all single women who gave birth in 2005 had less than a high school degree.
20% of single female householders in Shelby County have less than a high school education. The percentage of single female householders increases to 56% 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 2005 were unmarried. Estimates suggest that teen pregnancy cost Shelby County approximately $31 million in 2004.

POVERTY - In Shelby County, children raised in families headed by a single parent are 7 times more likely to grow up in poverty than children in families headed by a married couple.
47% 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 7% 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.