This article examines the growing tendency of women aged 35-45 to
remain single and evaluates the differences in motherhood, living
arrangements, educational levels, work experience, and economic
status of married and single women from 1971 to 1991. It shows that
during this period, the economic status of households headed by single
women, especially those headed by Black never-married women, de clined. Social service programs geared to furthering the education of
single women are discussed.
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