Final answer:
The U.S. has a high rate of households with children headed by single parents, with about 23% being single mothers as of 2021. This increase in single-parent households is associated with a higher poverty rate among these families.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U.S. has the highest rate of households with children headed by a single parent. Over recent decades, there has been a notable increase in single-parent households. In 2021, according to the National Journal, about 23% of all U.S. families were headed by single mothers. This pattern signifies a shift from the more traditional nuclear family structure to a variety of family forms, including those headed by single parents. However, it's important to note that the poverty rate among single-parent households remains relatively high, which poses socio-economic challenges.
As family dynamics continue to evolve, the presence of single-parent households has become more prevalent in the United States. For instance, female single-headed households have nearly tripled since 1960, and male single-headed households have also increased. More than one-quarter of U.S. children live in a single-parent household. These changes in family structures are reflected in data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other national surveys, illustrating a significant demographic shift over the past several decades.