ZOOM:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82360261778

Meeting ID: 823 6026 1778
Passcode: 784878

Abstract
Among individual explanations for the causes of poverty, single parenthood has received substantial attention as one of the most important behaviors leading to (child) poverty. Researchers have highlighted the high risk of poverty among single-parent families, the widening income gap between single- and two-parent families, and the negative consequences for children growing up in single-parent families, including increased risk of poverty in adulthood. Critics of this perspective, however, used cross-national data to show the importance of welfare in reducing the risks of poverty for single-parent families. In my research, I argue that the current literature on the relationship between poverty and family structure requires re-evaluation. In this presentation, I offer a new perspective to better understand the poverty experienced by single parents and their families, and to credibly critique behavioral arguments. Existing literature often fails to adequately account for the diversity within single parent families and the life-course dynamics that contribute to their disadvantage. My approach aligns with institutional explanation by highlighting the role of family policy and welfare programs in supporting the economic well-being of single parents. However, it moves beyond this framework by challenging the notion that single-parent families are a homogeneous and temporally static group.