Nearly twice as many one-parent families with children are living in poverty.
Last year 54 percent of one-parent black families were headed by women who had never married.
But probably the biggest headache for one-parent families is pricing.
There are also differences between ethnic groups in the percentage of one-parent families, as Figure 2.16 shows.
The social and economic situation of one-parent families is very disadvantageous.
More than a million and a half children - one in eight - live in these one-parent families.
Estimates suggest that between a fifth and a quarter of children may spend some time in a one-parent family.
"But you don't want to exclude millions of kids who are being raised in one-parent families."
"If you push them, a lot of times a parent will leave, and you'll be down to a one-parent family."
Some parents, such as one-parent families or those in difficult circumstances may have considerable need of support services.
