The typical American household has changed drastically in the last generation. In the year 1960, 45% of all households were composed of married couples with children. As of the 2000 Census, that figure is only 23% of households.
The median income for single parent women head of households with children under six years old is roughly 1/4 that of two parent households. (National Survey of Families and Households)
Forty-five percent of all single parent women hold down more than one job. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2002-2003)
41% of single moms live at or below the poverty level as compared to only 8% of married couples with children under the age of 18. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2002-2003)
More women filed for bankruptcy in 2003 than graduated from college.
38% of women 30-55 years old are worried they will live at or near the poverty
level because they cannot adequately save for retirement. The figure increases to
53% for women of color. For men, 33% face the same dilemma.
54% of women have little to no money left to save for retirement once they pay
their bills, rising to 62% among Hispanic women and 62% among African
American women.
Women comprise a horrifying 87% of the impoverished elderly.
According to a 2004 report released by the Federal Reserve, only 35 percent of
single women had retirement accounts, and only 8 percent had traditional
pensions.
