A national survey from The Current Project shows that Black single mothers are disproportionately likely to face financial struggles.
Struggle for Black Single Mothers
Black single mothers are facing serious financial obstacles, according to new data from U.S. advocacy group The Current Project.
Nationwide Survey
In a new nationwide survey, The Current Project, along with the help of public opinion research firm Evitarus, surveyed middle and low-income Black single mothers around the country on issues relating to their social and economic well-being.
Troubling Statistics
The survey found that 66% of these women are struggling to cover basic household expenses and bills, and 77% identify with the title of “middler mom.”
Struggling to Afford Basic Expenses
32% of women surveyed reported that they can barely afford to cover basic expenses, and 34% say they cannot cover these expenses in their entirety.
Middler Moms
Middler moms, according to the survey, are mothers who need government benefits or public assistance.
However, their income is both too high to qualify for aid and too low to live comfortably within their means.
A Paradoxical Predicament
It is a paradoxical predicament for these women, who are also likely to be college-educated.
The addition of student loans and, in some cases, medical debt make it even harder for these women to stay afloat.
Impact on Health
These financial struggles have a direct impact on the health and well-being of many of these women.
51% have experienced difficulty obtaining enough food, 66% struggle with sleeping issues, and 42% with obtaining a stable housing situation.
The Current Project
Alisha Gordon, who founded The Current Project, which focuses on supporting the overall well-being of Black single mothers, addressed these concerning statistics in a press release for the survey.
Compounded Pressures
“Black single mothers have compounded pressures that are often exacerbated by ill-designed policies and limited opportunities to expand their economic pathways,” said Gordon.
“An Immeasurable Toll”
“This is taking an immeasurable toll on our physical and emotional wellbeing,” she continues.
“It is imperative that we raise the specific experiences of this community to lengthen the runway for our economic thriving. For when Black single mothers thrive, we all thrive.”
Overall Disparities
These problems are compounded by issues of racial wealth disparities and fair lending access that already affect Black Americans.
2019 Survey of Consumer Finances
According to the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances, the median income for single white Americans dwarfs that of both men and women.
Single white men under 35 have a median wealth of $22,640, compared to $1,550 for single Black men in the same age group.
Racial Discrepancies
For single Black women, their median household wealth came to just $101, compared to $6,470 for single white women.
Further Financial Issues
This demographic is also disproportionately susceptible to subprime lending, often catapulting them into a cycle of debt and dire poverty that makes it harder to obtain financial security in the long term.
Providing Resources and Support
The Current Project aims to address these disparities and close the significant wealth gap between single Black mothers and their counterparts by providing community support, training, and resources.
Advocacy for Single Black Mothers
They also advocate for the demographic through research and surveys like this one, which doesn’t just focus on concrete material conditions but also on politics and education.
Politics and Education
Through their survey, the project found that most of these single Black mothers make political decisions based on education possibilities for their children, and 86% are more likely to vote for political candidates who favor school choice.
More Agency With School Choice
School choice refers to the ability of parents and children to choose alternative options to public school.
Gordon believes that school choice gives Black mothers more agency and the ability to provide a better future for their children.
More Informed Decisions for Families
“We view public school choice as an exercise in Black single mother’s agency,” she said.
“Being able to make informed, resourced decisions about where we send our children to school can serve as an interrupter of generational social and economic pitfalls.”
Holding Politicians Accountable
“Our children deserve a high-quality education in a public school and we’re going to hold elected leaders and political candidates accountable to fill this unmet need.”
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The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional financial advice.
