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Rhetoric and Reality of Economic Self-sufficiency Among Rural, Low-Income Mothers: A Longitudinal Study

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  • Leigh Simmons
  • Elizabeth Dolan
  • Bonnie Braun

Abstract

This study examined the contributions of maternal labor force participation and marital status on economic self-sufficiency over time for rural mothers. Data were from 174 rural families participating in three waves of data collection in Rural Families Speak. χ 2 and multiple logistic regression were utilized. Results revealed only one-third of mothers moved toward economic self-sufficiency over three years. Maternal education, employment status, and weekly work hours were associated with improved economic well-being. Compared to single-parent families, unmarried-couple and married-couple families had increased odds of improving economically. In an analysis of all mothers with partners, married or unmarried, martial status was not significant in economic improvement. Findings suggest the role of marriage in welfare reform for rural families should be reconsidered. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007

Suggested Citation

  • Leigh Simmons & Elizabeth Dolan & Bonnie Braun, 2007. "Rhetoric and Reality of Economic Self-sufficiency Among Rural, Low-Income Mothers: A Longitudinal Study," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 28(3), pages 489-505, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:28:y:2007:i:3:p:489-505
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-007-9071-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shirley L. Porterfield, 2001. "Economic Vulnerability Among Rural Single-Mother Families," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 83(5), pages 1302-1311.
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    3. Davis, Elizabeth E. & Connolly, Laura S. & Weber, Bruce A., 2003. "Local Labor Market Conditions and the Jobless Poor: How Much Does Local Job Growth Help in Rural Areas?," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 28(3), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Shirley L. Porterfield, 1998. "On the Precipice of Reform: Welfare Spell Durations for Rural, Female-Headed Families," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 80(5), pages 994-999.
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    6. Audrey Light & Manuelita Ureta, 2003. "Living Arrangements, Employment Status, and the Economic Well-Being of Mothers: Evidence from Brazil, Chile and the United States," Working Papers 03-06, Ohio State University, Department of Economics.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sheila Mammen & Elizabeth Dolan & Sharon Seiling, 2015. "Explaining the Poverty Dynamics of Rural Families Using an Economic Well-Being Continuum," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 36(3), pages 434-450, September.
    2. Kathleen Malone & Susan Stewart & Jan Wilson & Peter Korsching, 2010. "Perceptions of Financial Well-Being among American Women in Diverse Families," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 31(1), pages 63-81, March.
    3. Luis Ayala & Antonio Jurado & Jesús Pérez-Mayo, 2021. "Multidimensional deprivation in heterogeneous rural areas: Spain after the economic crisis," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(5), pages 883-893, May.
    4. Suwen Pan & Cheng Fang & Roderick Rejesus, 2009. "Food Calorie Intake under Grain Price Uncertainty in Rural Nepal," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 137-148, June.
    5. Jane Glover, 2010. "Capital Usage in Adverse Situations: Applying Bourdieu’s Theory of Capital to Family Farm Businesses," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 31(4), pages 485-497, December.
    6. Vanessa Hunn & Claudia Heath, 2011. "Path Analysis of Welfare Use: Depression as a Mediating Factor," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 32(2), pages 341-355, June.
    7. Benjamin Foster, 2011. "Norms and Costs of Government Domestic Violence Policies: A Critical Review," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 32(1), pages 140-151, March.
    8. Rebecca Jayne Stack & Alex Meredith, 2018. "The Impact of Financial Hardship on Single Parents: An Exploration of the Journey From Social Distress to Seeking Help," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 39(2), pages 233-242, June.
    9. Shanta Pandey & Jeoung-hee Kim, 2008. "Path to Poverty Alleviation: Marriage or Postsecondary Education?," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 29(1), pages 166-184, March.
    10. Melissa Radey, 2008. "The Influence of Social Supports on Employment for Hispanic, Black, and White Unmarried Mothers," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 29(3), pages 445-460, September.
    11. Jung-Eun Kim & Jungsung Yeo, 2010. "Valuation of Consumers’ Personal Information: A South Korean Example," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 31(3), pages 297-306, September.

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