The Determinants of the Prevalence of Single Mothers: A Cross-Country Analysis

Libertad Gonzalez

No 1677, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper examines the effect of public assistance, labor market and marriage market conditions on the prevalence of single mother families across countries and over time. A multinomial logit derived from a random utility approach is estimated using individual-level data for 14 countries. I find evidence that increases in the level of public support are significantly and positively associated with a higher incidence of both never married and divorced mothers. The results also suggest that single mothers are more prevalent when female wages are lower. Higher male earnings and employment opportunities in a woman's marriage market appear to lead to fewer never married mothers, but more divorced mothers. Higher child support or alimony payments are associated with a higher prevalence of divorced mothers.

Keywords: single mothers; marriage; fertility; welfare benefits; marriage markets (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I38 J12 J13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 38 pages
Date: 2005-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dcm and nep-lab
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Related works:
Working Paper: The Determinants of the Prevalence of Single Mothers: A Cross-Country Analysis (2005)
Working Paper: The determinants of the prevalence of single mothers: A cross-country analysis (2005)
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