Final answer:
Poor households generally have fewer resources and children in these households are often raised by single parents, predominantly single mothers. The family structure and the control of household income by mothers can influence children's health and resource allocation within the home.
Step-by-step explanation:
Poor households tend to have fewer resources than wealthy households, and poor children are more likely to live with single parents, particularly single mothers. This is reflected in the findings of various studies, indicating that children who live with married parents generally grow up with more advantages, including financial and educational benefits, than children who live with single parents. This phenomenon, known as the "feminization of poverty," highlights that women, and especially single mothers, disproportionately represent the majority of individuals in poverty globally. Consequently, single mothers often struggle more financially compared to divorced mothers, with a large number of children living with only their mother near or below the poverty level.
Moreover, changes in the traditional family structure and the control over household income by mothers versus fathers have been shown to significantly impact how funds are spent. Research suggests that when the mother controls a larger share of family income, the family's spending tends to be more oriented toward children's needs and health improvement. Thus, providing assistance to poor families should consider not only the monetary amount but also which family member receives the money to positively influence consumption patterns and children's wellbeing.