Final answer:
True, poverty is the most serious problem among one-parent families, as single-parent households often face high poverty rates and additional costs that can perpetuate the poverty trap.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether poverty is the most serious problem among families with one parent can be regarded as true, given multiple sources of data. According to the National Journal, even as two-earner couples have become more common, the number of single-parent households has also increased. Of all U.S. families, 13.1% were headed by single mothers, and the poverty rate among these households is notably high. This is compounded by the "poverty trap," where working mothers face additional expenses like clothing, transportation, and childcare, which diminish the economic benefits of working. Furthermore, without employment, individuals do not gain job experience and contacts, making future employment less likely and potentially perpetuating the cycle of poverty.