Single Mom INITIATIVE The Economic Self-Reliance of Utah Single Moms Richard J. McClendon, Ph.D....

Single Mom INITIATIVE

The Economic Self-The Economic Self-Reliance of Reliance of

Utah Single Moms Utah Single Moms

Richard J. McClendon, Ph.D.Richard J. McClendon, Ph.D.Research DirectorResearch DirectorBYU ESR CenterBYU ESR Center

[email protected][email protected]


Research AgendaResearch Agenda

2006 Literature Review Learning Lab Focus Groups

2007 Statewide Mail Survey

Top ChallengesEducationFinancesEmotional HealthChild Care

?


Utah Single Utah Single Mom SurveyMom Survey

20072007


Methodology and Methodology and Data CollectionData Collection

Random sample of 65,000 phone numbers in Utah.

Hired 60 students who called from March to May, over 8000 hours.

97% of the phone numbers where called 5 to 7 times.

Screened for married and single moms with children (under age 18) living at home.

420 single moms agreed to receive a mail survey.

237 single moms responded (56%).


65

11

20

6

20 256

2116

9

7

2

2 8

1

6

1

1

13

1

1

1

8

1

2

1 133

5

4

2044

2

1

11

7 41

1

11

1

1

1

7

2

1

2

7

222

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

2

5

10

8

1

1

511

1

1

1

1

1

1

Sample ClustersSample Clusters


Sample DescriptionSample Description

N %

Separated 25 11%

Divorced 148 62%

Single, Never Married

47 20%

Widowed 17 7%

Total 237 100%


Utah Single MomsUtah Single Moms

Single Moms

Households

Married Mom

Households

Utah Household

s

Poverty Rate

32% 6% 10%

Net Worth $6,560 $131,250 $62,820

Home Ownership

44% 90% 75%


Research QuestionResearch Question

What factors lead to the economic self-reliance for single moms in Utah?


ESR Defined . . .ESR Defined . . .

The ability of an individual or family to garner and hold surplus resources in excess of basic needs relative to socioeconomic context and geographic location. It provides protection in the face of economic shocks and fosters the development of human potential.


ESR Model: ESR Model: Four Types of CapitalFour Types of Capital

Group Based Resources

Tangible

Institutional Capital

Social Capital

Intangible

Economic Capital

Human Capital

Individual Based Resources

• Government & Religious Assistance

• Support from Family & Friends

Income, Assets,

Debt, & Savings

• Age, Education, & Well-being


Predicting the ESR Predicting the ESR of Utah Single Moms of Utah Single Moms

Marital Status Years as a Single

Mom Number of

Children Child with

Disability Parenting Attitude

& Involvement Child Custody Child Support Government

Assistance Housing Child(s) Father’s

Education & Well-Being

Family of Procreation

Education

Parent’s Education Education Level High School

Grades Computer Skills When Returned to

School Belief When to

Return to School

Age Race Religiosity Job Satisfaction Community

Involvement

Demographics

Physical Health Overall Happiness Depression Self-Esteem Self-Efficacy/Goal

Well-Being

Total Income Asset/Debt Ratio Savings Practices Standard of Living

Endurance

ESR

Parent’s Marital Status

Relationship with Parents & Siblings

Job Support from Family & Associates

Family of Orientation


Predicting the ESR Predicting the ESR of Utah Single Moms of Utah Single Moms (Bivariate)(Bivariate)


Endurance

ESR

Marital Marital Status .21Status .21

Years as a Single Mom

Number of Children

Child with Disability

ParentingParenting Attitude & Involvement Involvement -.17-.17

Child Custody Child Support .19Child Support .19 Government Government

Assistance Assistance -.46-.46

Housing Housing -.62/-.41-.62/-.41

Child(s)’ Father’s Child(s)’ Father’s EducationEducation & Well-Being .33.33


Education

Parent’s Parent’s Education.18Education.18

Education Education Level .41Level .41

High School Grades

Computer Skills When Returned When Returned

to School -.17to School -.17 Belief When to

Return to School

Age .41Age .41 RaceRace Religiosity Job Job

Satisfaction .32Satisfaction .32 Community Community

Involvement .29Involvement .29

Demographics

Physical Physical Health .35Health .35

Overall Overall Happiness.17Happiness.17

Depression -.23Depression -.23 Self-Esteem .41Self-Esteem .41 Self-Efficacy/Self-Efficacy/

Goal .22Goal .22

Well-Being

Parent’s Marital Parent’s Marital Status .21Status .21

Relationship with Relationship with Parents & Parents & Siblings .21Siblings .21

Job Support from Job Support from Family & Family & Assos. .36Assos. .36



Predicting the ESR Predicting the ESR of Utah Single Moms of Utah Single Moms

(Multivariate)(Multivariate)


Endurance

ESR

Marital Marital Status .21Status .21

Years as a Single Mom

Number of Children

Child with Disability

Parenting Attitude & Involvement

Child Custody Child Support Government Government


Housing Housing -.39/-.36-.39/-.36

Child(s)’ Father’s Education & Well-Being


Education

Parent’s Education Education Education

Level .12Level .12 High School

Grades Computer Skills When Returned When Returned

to School -.17to School -.17 Belief When to

Return to School

Age .28Age .28 Race Religiosity Job Satisfaction Community

Involvement

Demographics

Physical Health Overall Happiness Depression Self-Esteem .21Self-Esteem .21 Self-Efficacy/Goal

Well-Being

Parent’s Marital Status


Job Support from Job Support from Family & Family & Assos. .32Assos. .32



Significant Correlations Significant Correlations with Educationwith Education

Education

Marital Status Marital Status Years as a Single

Mom Number of

Children Child with

Disability Parent Attitude &

Involvement Child Custody Child Support Government Government


HousingHousing Child(s)’ Father’s Child(s)’ Father’s

EducationEducation & Well-Being .44.44


Education

Parent’s Education.Parent’s Education.Father .50 Father .50

Mother .30Mother .30 HS Grades .42HS Grades .42 Computer Computer

Skills .17Skills .17 When Returned to

School Belief When to

Return to School

Age .34Age .34 RaceRace Religiosity .25Religiosity .25 Job Job

Satisfaction .21Satisfaction .21 Community Community

Involvement .32Involvement .32

Demographics

Physical Physical Health .17Health .17

Overall Overall Happiness.14Happiness.14

Depression Self-Esteem .27Self-Esteem .27 Self-Efficacy/Self-Efficacy/

Goal .19Goal .19

Well-Being

Parent’s Marital Parent’s Marital Status .16Status .16


Job Support from Family & Associates



Results SummaryResults Summary

Higher ESR Scores = More Education Earlier School Start Job Support from Family & Friends Older Less Government Assistance Own a Home Stable Remarriage


Education and Education and Total IncomeTotal IncomeTotal

Income(N)

High School Degree or Less

2.73*(50)

Some College or Skills Training

3.09**(76)

Skills or Trade Degree

2.56**(27)

Associates degree

3.39(29)

Bachelor’s Degree

4.19(40)

Graduate or Professional

Degree

5.93*(15)

1. Under $10,0001. Under $10,000

2. $10,000 to $19,9992. $10,000 to $19,999

3. $20,000 to $29,9993. $20,000 to $29,999

4. $30,000 to $39,9994. $30,000 to $39,999

5. $40,000 to $49,9995. $40,000 to $49,999

6. $50,000 to $74,9996. $50,000 to $74,999

7. $75,000 to $99,9997. $75,000 to $99,999

8. Over $100,0008. Over $100,000

Poverty ThresholdPoverty Threshold by # of Childrenby # of Children

1=$13,6901=$13,690

2=$17,1702=$17,170

3=$20,6503=$20,650


Education and Education and Asset/Debt IndexAsset/Debt Index

Asset/Debt Index

High School Degree or Less 6.08*


6.48*

Skills or Trade Degree 6.63*

Associates degree 6.79

Bachelor’s Degree 7.53


Degree8.40

1. Own Home1. Own Home2. Own Vehicle2. Own Vehicle3. Own Business3. Own Business4. Own Property4. Own Property5. Own Investments5. Own Investments6. Have Checking Account6. Have Checking Account7. Have Savings Account7. Have Savings Account8. No Debt to Family/Friends8. No Debt to Family/Friends9. No Debt to Student Loans 9. No Debt to Student Loans 10. No Past Due House Bills10. No Past Due House Bills11. No Past Due Medical Bills11. No Past Due Medical Bills12. No Balance on Credit Card12. No Balance on Credit Card


Education and Education and Savings PracticesSavings Practices

Savings Practices

High School Degree or Less 2.47


2.33*

Skills or Trade Degree 2.38




Degree3.80

1. Never1. Never

2. Rarely2. Rarely

3. Sometimes3. Sometimes

4. Usually4. Usually

5. Almost Always5. Almost Always


Education and Education and Standard of Living EnduranceStandard of Living Endurance

Standard of Living

Endurance

High School Degree or Less 2.69


2.46

Skills or Trade Degree 2.88




Degree3.33

1. Less than a week1. Less than a week

2. 2 or 3 weeks2. 2 or 3 weeks

3. About 1 month3. About 1 month

4. 2 to 3 months4. 2 to 3 months

5. 3 to 6 months5. 3 to 6 months

6. More than 6 months6. More than 6 months


Educational Educational Demographics Demographics

among among Utah Single MomsUtah Single Moms


What is the education level What is the education level of Utah Single Moms?of Utah Single Moms?

High school degree/less (21%) (Married: 13%)

College or skill training (32%) (Married: 31%)

Skill or Associates degree (24%) (Married: 20%)

Bachelor’s degree (17%) (Married: 29%)

Graduate degree (6%) (Married: 16%)


When is the Best time to go When is the Best time to go back to school? back to school? (Top Responses)(Top Responses)

Mom’s Timing Immediately upon becoming a

single mom “Depends on circumstances or

situation” “When it’s best for the mom”

Children’s Timing Elementary school


Computer Access and SkillsComputer Access and Skills

Own a Computer (84%) (Married: 97%)

Internet (88%) (Married: 95%)

Email (90%) (Married: 95%)

Microsoft Word (84%) (Married: 93%)

Microsoft Excel (63%) (Married: 63%)


How comfortable are you in using a How comfortable are you in using a computer to…computer to…

Access information about trades schools, colleges, and universities (88%) (Married: 95%)

Apply for college, financial aid, and scholarships (83%) (Married: 92%)

Take a course on-line (84%) (Married 90%)


College AttendanceCollege Attendance

Gone back to school since becoming a single mom (48%)

Currently attending school (29%)

Fulltime during the day (31%)

Part-time at night (24%)

Part-time during the day (17%)

Online courses (12%)

2½ years is the average time it takes to go back to school after becoming a single mom.


Reason & Motivation for Reason & Motivation for Going back to School Going back to School

Top reason: increase their income (67%).

Top reason for married moms: personal improvement (64%).

Family (36%) and Self (30%) are who motivates them to go back to school.


What is keeping you from What is keeping you from going to school? going to school? (Responses Ranked)(Responses Ranked)

Rank %

1 Not enough money 61

2 Not enough time 54

3 Children need me 39

4 Fear 23

5 Other: have a degree 22

6 Inadequate child care 21

7 Don’t know what to study 21

8 Have a job that I like 17

9 Application process is too overwhelming 12

10 Don’t like school 11

11 Inadequate transportation 8

12 Already make enough money 7

13 Language barrier 3


Attitude about College Attitude about College Campus Support Campus Support

48% of single moms indicated they would join a single mom support group on campus if it was offered

70% said they would take advantage of an academic advisor who was specifically assigned to single mom students.


What supports does/did your What supports does/did your school offer to moms?school offer to moms? (Responses (Responses

Ranked)Ranked)

Rank %

1 Information about financial aid 50

2 Don’t know 39

3Academic advice in selecting appropriate classes and/or a major

32

4 Help in registering for class 31

5 Information about available scholarships 23

6Assigned counselor for guidance upon returning to school

22

7Information about childcare available on or near campus

21

8 Orientation on returning to school 17

9Information about available tutoring or study groups

15

10 Information about on-campus support group 13

11Information about transportation to and from school

12

12 Information about single mom support groups 11

13 Other: “none” “don’t remember any” 5

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