Key Findings
- Only one-third of mothers who were not married at childbirth (hereinafter, unmarried mothers) attained high school or higher education following the childbirth.
- Unmarried mothers who received childcare assistance, especially when their children were 3 years or younger, were more likely to attain additional education.
- A $100 increase in maximum monthly TANF benefits was associated with 86.1% and 53.9% higher odds of attaining high school and some college/technical school education, respectively, among unmarried mothers with less than high school education at childbirth.
- Higher income eligibility was linked to a 42.4% increase in the odds of attaining some college or technical school education among unmarried mothers with less than high school education at childbirth.
Study Overview
Since nearly 80% of unmarried mothers have completed high school or less due to life circumstances disrupting their education, developing better systems to support their postnatal educational attainment is crucial for improving employment and economic prospects for both the mothers and their children.
Major social safety-net programs in the United States, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), have the potential to temporarily alleviate economic burdens and remove barriers to education. However, their impact on postnatal educational attainment remains unclear, particularly since the 1996 welfare reform decentralized policy administration.
With funding from the Spencer Foundation (Chicago, IL), we analyzed data from the Future of Families and Child Well-Being Study—a unique cohort study of mothers who experienced a nonmarital birth in 20 major US cities between 1998 and 2000. Our research specifically examined the patterns of postnatal educational attainment among unmarried mothers over 15 years, identified key barriers to their educational attainment, and explore how these patterns are related to state TANF and SNAP policy rules.
Conclusion
A significant proportion of unmarried mothers, particularly those without a high school education, struggle to achieve further educational attainment after childbirth, which adversely affects their employment prospects and economic well-being. State TANF programs with higher monthly benefit levels and more generous eligibility criteria can help improve postnatal educational attainment among unmarried mothers without a high school diploma. Furthermore, given the crucial role of childcare assistance in supporting educational attainment, establishing more affordable and accessible childcare options can be an effective strategy to enhance postnatal educational outcomes for unmarried mothers.
This research was supported by the Spencer Foundation (Grant Number: 202200053) and The Women’s Place at The Ohio State University. The views expressed are those of the researchers and do not necessarily reflect those of the funding organizations.
About the researchers
Dr. Sehun Oh, Associate Professor at The Ohio State University College of Social Work, has expertise in antipoverty programs (especially workforce development) and in improving the behavioral well-being of individuals experiencing employment and economic hardship. Dr. Melissa Radey, Professor at Florida State University College of Social Work, has expertise in barriers to economic, social, and physical well-being among low-income families. Dr. Michelle Johnson-Motoyama, Professor at The Ohio State University College of Social work, has expertise in social policies and programs supporting children and families. Dr. Joshua Hawley, Professor at The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs, is an expert in career and technical education and data sciences for post-secondary education. Brianna Smith, MSW, LSW specializes in reproductive justice focusing on maternal health disparities among Black women and birthing persons. Jeong-eum Cha specializes in the economic well-being among youth and young adults experiencing economic disadvantages.
Contact information: oh.570@osu.edu
About the research
This research provides evidence of the critical role economic assistance plays in enhancing educational and job training opportunities for individuals facing economic disadvantages. Such support is essential for fostering sustainable economic self-sufficiency and improving employment outcomes.
