Stats & Facts

The Need Is Great

There are more than 18 million children in the United States growing up without a father in the home. Families led by single mothers face overwhelming financial, emotional, and social challenges every day.

Poverty & Financial Hardship

Fatherless families are nearly four times more likely to live in poverty than married-couple families.
In 2023, there were approximately 7.3 million single mothers in the United States.
The poverty rate for single-mother households in 2023 was 32.2%.
Nearly half (49.8%) of families led by single mothers experienced food insecurity.
The average annual income for a single-mother household working full-time is approximately $40,000 — significantly lower than many two-parent households.
Single mothers often struggle to work longer hours because they are also the primary caregivers for their children.

Children at Risk

Nearly 1 in 5 children under age 18 are being raised without a father.
Nearly 4 out of 10 children are born to unmarried mothers.
About 70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions come from single-parent homes.
Studies consistently show that unstable family environments increase the risk of behavioral and educational challenges for children.
Most adolescents entering the justice system have experienced parental abandonment, substance abuse, or dysfunctional home environments.

Incarceration & Family Impact

Of the approximately 2 million prisoners in America, more than 800,000 are parents — and 92% are fathers.
Around 2.7 million children have at least one parent in prison.

Child Care Challenges

Nationally, infant child care costs consume an average of 40% of a single mother’s income.
Child care assistance programs often have long waiting lists and limited availability.
Many mothers are unable to pursue better education or employment opportunities because affordable child care is unavailable.

Ongoing Barriers

Single mothers frequently face:

Limited financial safety nets
Lack of reliable support systems
Difficulty obtaining additional education or job training
Constant risk of financial crisis caused by illness, job loss, or emergencies

Poverty Rates Among Female-Led Households

31.6% of Native American female-led families live in poverty
28.4% of Black female-led families live in poverty
27.6% of Hispanic female-led families live in poverty
19.3% of White female-led families live in poverty

What Does God Say?

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”
— Psalm 68:5

“Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.”
— Exodus 22:22–23

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
— Isaiah 1:17

“Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.”
— Zechariah 7:10