Single Moms & Poverty: Why Marriage Isn't Helpful

 Posted on May 25, 2014 in Family Law

For a long time, it has been a convention that a single mom could get back on her feet by getting remarried. In some situations, this has even been a stipulation for the discontinuation of spousal support.

It seems, however, that some single moms may be better off staying single. Facing the proposition of being a single parent, or even a parent who shares custody with a former spouse, can seem overwhelming. If divorce is right for your situation, however, you might find that every one is better off down the road.

Nearly ten years ago, Congress passed legislation that gave states the option to allocate welfare funds to programs that supported single mothers getting remarried, with the underlying thought being that a two-income household was a better situation for children than a single mother attempting to make everything work on her own.

There are many challenges that single mothers face, especially when they are the sole custodial parent, but many women find strength in support groups and friends. It can be a difficult adjustment, but if you are fighting constantly with your spouse, a calmer environment can be better for children.

According to researcher Kristi Williams at Ohio State University, the congressional program has not worked. Her research found that high numbers of single mothers who remarried would end up divorced again, often times resulting in being worse off financially. Also, blending families can be difficult and might even generate new tensions with children or the new spouse.

Making the decision to stay a single mother is a difficult one, and it is certainly not right for everyone. Likewise, staying in a first marriage because you think it may be better for the children is not always the best situation, either.

If you would like to speak with someone regarding your legal options to get out of a bad marriage, contact an Illinois family law attorney today.