Families on Welfare: Sharp Rise in Never-Married Women Reflects Societal
Trend (Letter Report, 05/31/94, GAO/HEHS-94-92).

From 1976 to 1992, the proportion of single women receiving welfare who
had never been married more than doubled, rising from 21 percent to 52
percent. This change parallels a broader societal trend among all single
mothers.  Women receiving welfare in 1992 were also more likely to have
a high school diploma and to have fewer children.  These demographic
changes among single women receiving welfare mirrored similar trends
among all single mothers. However, single women on welfare in 1992 were
poorer than in 1976, even though they worked in about the same
proportions.  Total family incomes dropped due to a decline in the real
value of earnings and welfare benefits.  The dramatic growth in the
number of never-married women receiving welfare has important policy
implications.  Not only have never-married women and their families
driven welfare caseloads to record levels, these families also affect
other programs.  For example, child support is hard to obtain for
never-married women, who are less likely to have child support orders.
Moreover, because the growth in never-married women receiving welfare
reflects broader societal trends, it is unclear what impact welfare
reform may have on the growth in the number and proportion of
never-married women receiving welfare.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  HEHS-94-92
     TITLE:  Families on Welfare: Sharp Rise in Never-Married Women 
             Reflects Societal Trend
      DATE:  05/31/94
   SUBJECT:  Aid to families with dependent children
             Welfare benefits
             Welfare recipients
             Public assistance programs
             Women
             Families
             Disadvantaged persons
             Demographic data
             Population growth
             Single parents
IDENTIFIER:  AFDC
             Food Stamp Program
             Medicaid Program
             Census Bureau Current Population Survey
             
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