Economic Well-being of Single Mothers: Work First or Postsecondary Education?

Authors

Min Zhan, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Shanta Pandey, Washington University

Keywords

Postsecondary education, welfare reform, single mothers, economic well-being

Abstract

This article investigates the relationship between single mothers' education and their economic well-being. Through the analysis of the 1993 Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) data, we examine the effect of education on a sample of White and African American single mothers. The results indicate that past work experience is a weak predictor of current economic well-being. Having education, particularly postsecondary education, on the other hand, significantly improves their economic status. The results challenge the "work-first" approach to alleviating poverty and provide more support for designing policies to develop human capital.

Recommended Citation

Zhan, Min and Pandey, Shanta (2004) "Economic Well-being of Single Mothers: Work First or Postsecondary Education?," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 31: Iss. 3, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3006
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol31/iss3/6