Single parenting is rapidly becoming a growing trend in society. In South Africa an estimated 30% of households are headed by single parents. The key aim of the study was to establish whether single parents prioritized their careers over children. In an endeavour to determine the factors that motivate and disrupt single mothers in the workplace, a sample of 146 subjects was selected utilising non-probability sampling. Non-probability sampling was utilized to create the sample because there was no method of determining the precise size of the population from which it was going to be drawn. Two types of non-probability sampling were utilized to select the sample, namely purposive and snowball sampling. The sample consisted of 45 parents aged 21-24; 51 parents aged 25-34 and 50 parents aged 35-49. Data was collected using structured and self-completion questionnaires which were administered via e-mail. The analysis revealed that parents aged 25-49 had adequate economic resources and showed more concern for their children‟s academic achievements than younger parents, although not much assistance was given to their children in the area of homework. The study found that younger parents‟ economic conditions were inadequate and these parents did not participate in their child‟s school activities nor did they assist them with homework. A salient feature of this study is that young single parents aged 21-24 showed less concern for their children‟s education and well-being. The primary recommendation of this study is that members of society should wait until they have stable careers and a stable economic situation before they start families, as this will have positive ripple effects on the lifestyle they lead, irrespective of whether they are single parents or not. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2009.

This thesis investigates how family–employment reconciliation issues associated with single motherhood affect women’s employment careers. The study fills a gap in the literature, which rarely considers single motherhood and employment as processes in the life course, much less in a cross-country comparative perspective. Patterns of employment trajectories during and after single motherhood are examined as the outcome of individual and institutional circumstances. Great Britain and West Germany are used as contrasting cases that represent relatively different contexts of labour market structures and family policy. Longitudinal individual-level data from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) and the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) are analysed, looking at the period between and including 1991–2008. The thesis develops a theoretical model that assumes differential career outcomes for experiencing single motherhood at different life stages. Higher difficulties of family–employment reconciliation are predicted for women experiencing single motherhood at a young age compared to later stages. The acquisition of marketable resources, which stands in the context of education systems, is assumed to be one of the central mechanisms mediating the relationship between age at single motherhood and employment. Moreover, policies directed at single parents affect reconciliation, shaping opportunity structures on which women can draw in single motherhood. Compared to the German context, Britain provides little institutional support securing labour market attachment for women in single motherhood, particularly when their children are young. Although providing more generous family policy measures in comparison, West German maternity leave regulations are often not applicable to women in single motherhood, and childcare is mostly granted on a half-day basis. The findings from three steps of empirical analysis provide new insights and highlight specific facets of established facts. First, fixed effects logistic regression is used, which exposes a negative association between single motherhood and entering full-time employment. No differences are observed between partnered and unpartnered mothers, but effective childcare arrangements support women’s transition in both Britain and West Germany. The second step of the analysis explores employment career patterns during and after single motherhood using sequence analysis. The emerging typical patterns are observed to different degrees in the two country contexts. On average, more employment trajectories dominated by non-employment are observed in Britain and by part-time employment in West Germany. In the last step, these findings are used in an explanatory framework, the results of which provide evidence for the life stage hypothesis. The analysis demonstrates that not only social class but also mother’s age, children’s age and skill levels seem to foster employment stability and labour market attachment during and after single motherhood.

本論文從兩個方面研究了1996年美國福利制度改革對單身母親的影響。首先，本文研究了在SSI和AFDC/TANF兩個政府福利計劃之間是否存在替代效應。其次，本文研究了福利制度改革是否令到更多的單身母親變得邊緣化(沒有參與工作亦沒有領取政府福利)，以及研究她們的長期生活情況。利用美國三個具代表性的調查數據庫, difference-in-difference分析以及logistic回歸分析方法，本文有以下四點結論:（一）SSI和AFDC計劃之間並不存在替代效應；（二）對AFDC/TANF計劃實行五年的領取期限令到部分單身母親變得邊緣化；（三）在年福利改革之後，被邊緣化的單身母親在食物消費上並沒有發生太大的變化；（四）被邊緣化的單身母親傾向將她們多餘的時間分配在個人娛樂方面而不是在家務和照顧小孩上面。雖然年的福利改革成功地減少了領取/計劃的人數，但政策制定者仍需注意改革令到更多的單身母親變得邊緣化，同時應制定相關政策來幫助她們。 / This paper studies the effect of the 1996 welfare reform on single mothers, focusing on two important aspects. First, it examines the existence of programme substitution between SSI and former AFDC/TANF recipients after the reform. Second, it examines the prevalence of single mothers who were disconnected from government assistance and the job market since the reform and evaluates their long-term well-being. Using three major nationally representative surveys, difference-in-difference analysis, and logistic regression models, I arrive at four main findings. First, I find no evidence of a programme substitution effect between AFDC/TANF and SSI. Second, the five-year time limit policy is suggested as being responsible for part of the increase in the disconnected rate among single mothers. Third, disconnected single mothers did not face a food insecurity problem after welfare reform. Fourth, disconnected single mothers allocate much more time to personal entertainment than to productive activities such as housework and child care. While the 1996 welfare reform has succeeded in reducing AFDC/TANF caseloads, policy makers should pay attention to its effects on the disconnectedness of single mothers and help such women leave their disconnected status. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Hoi, Kam Un. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-62). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.ii / 摘要 --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2 --- The AFDC Programme and the 1996 Welfare Reform --- p.3 / Chapter 3 --- Literature Review --- p.5 / Chapter 3.1 --- Employment of single mothers --- p.5 / Chapter 3.2 --- Welfare programme substitution --- p.6 / Chapter 3.3 --- Disconnectedness --- p.9 / Chapter 4 --- Data and Methodology --- p.13 / Chapter 4.1 --- Data sources and description --- p.13 / Chapter 4.2 --- DID analysis --- p.14 / Chapter 4.3 --- Logistic regression methodology --- p.15 / Chapter 5 --- Existence of programme substitution --- p.18 / Chapter 6 --- Change in the number of disconnected single mothers --- p.19 / Chapter 6.1 --- A national picture of single mothers --- p.19 / Chapter 6.2 --- Empirical results --- p.21 / Chapter 6.3 --- Why black single mothers are less likely to be disconnected --- p.22 / Chapter 6.4 --- The separate effects of time limit policy on disconnectedness --- p.23 / Chapter 7 --- Change in the well-being of disconnected single mothers --- p.24 / Chapter 7.1 --- Food consumption --- p.24 / Chapter 7.2 --- Time allocation --- p.26 / Chapter 8 --- Discussion and Policy Implications --- p.29 / Chapter 9 --- Conclusion --- p.31

He, Xiaoyue. / "July 2011." / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2. --- Theoretical Model --- p.4 / Chapter 2. --- Literature Review --- p.7 / Chapter 3. --- Data and Methodology --- p.12 / Chapter 3.1. --- Data --- p.12 / Chapter 3.2. --- Methodology --- p.13 / Chapter 3.3. --- Definition of Key Variables --- p.14 / Chapter 4. --- Descriptive Results of DID Analysis --- p.15 / Chapter 5. --- Regression Approach --- p.20 / Chapter 6. --- Time Allocation of Single Mothers of Differing Education Levels --- p.25 / Chapter 7. --- Changes in Leisure Inequality Among Single Mothers --- p.31 / Chapter 8. --- Single Mothers by Demographic Characteristics --- p.33 / Chapter 8.1. --- Single Mothers by Race --- p.33 / Chapter 8.2. --- Single Mothers by Age --- p.35 / Chapter 9. --- Discussion and Policy Implications --- p.36 / Chapter 10. --- Conclusion and Directions for Further Research --- p.39 / Tables and Figures --- p.42 / Appendices --- p.62 / References --- p.82

published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Text in English / This study is focused on the topical issue of female poverty in South Africa. Specifically, the study is on how poverty has single mothers households in reception area of Diepsloot informal settlements and how they have been coping with poverty while at the same time trying to change their situation. The study is premised on a qualitative approach employing the use of snowball sampling to refer other single mothers resident in the reception area. Methodologically, the results are drawn primarily on interviews held with 30 women residing in the reception area of the informal settlements. The study selects 8 out of 30 case studies which stand out from the others in circumstances, challenges and livelihood assets; challenges and coping mechanisms. What emerges from the results of all the interviews is a complex range of factors influencing and exacerbating these households' vulnerability and resilience to chronic poverty. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Text in English / This study is focused on the topical issue of female poverty in South Africa. Specifically, the study is on how poverty has single mothers households in reception area of Diepsloot informal settlements and how they have been coping with poverty while at the same time trying to change their situation. The study is premised on a qualitative approach employing the use of snowball sampling to refer other single mothers resident in the reception area. Methodologically, the results are drawn primarily on interviews held with 30 women residing in the reception area of the informal settlements. The study selects 8 out of 30 case studies which stand out from the others in circumstances, challenges and livelihood assets; challenges and coping mechanisms. What emerges from the results of all the interviews is a complex range of factors influencing and exacerbating these households' vulnerability and resilience to chronic poverty. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)