A comparative perspective on policies to support single-parent families

In the last 50 years, single parenthood has become more prevalent in the United States and other countries. As compared to other high-income countries, the United States does little to support single-parent families and they fare poorly as a result. 

On December 1, the Brookings Institution will host an event marking the publication of the fall 2022 volume of The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, titled “Public Policy and the Socio-Economic Status of Single-Parent Families: The United States in Cross-National Perspective.” Featuring research in collaboration with the London School of Economics Phelan United States Centre, this volume extends the research evidence on the experiences of single parent families and the best approaches to support their well-being through a comparative lens.

Following opening remarks by Professor Cecilia Rouse and an overview of the volume by editor Janet Gornick, the first panel will feature insights from the volume’s authors on what’s most effective in supporting single-parent families, drawing from research evidence from the United States and abroad. The event will conclude with a discussion on the implications for U.S. policy. 

Viewers can submit questions by emailing events@brookings.edu or via Twitter with #ANNALS.