A comparison of the economic status of mothers by marital status : an analysis of South African survey data.
Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Abstract: In the post-apartheid period, little research has focused on the economic welfare of South \nAfrican mothers. In particular there are few studies that compare the economic status of \nmothers by marital status. Many children in South Africa live in households without \nfathers (Posel and Devey 2006), which indicates that there is a high incidence of single \nmotherhood in South Africa. Previous research has shown that South African women are \nmore likely to be poor than their male counterparts and female-headed households, on \naverage, are poorer than male-headed households (Posel and Rogan 2009a; Armstrong et \nal. 2008; Hoogeveen and Özler 2006; Budlender 2005; Rose and Charlton 2002; Woolard \nand Leibbrandt 1999). These results suggest that single mothers and their children would \nbe more likely to be worse off than families that include men. \nHistorically, insufficient data on motherhood made it difficult to identify a national \nsample of mothers; however recent household surveys have made it easier to do so. \nUsing the General Household Survey (GHS) 2006 I am able to identify all women aged \nfrom 19 to 65 who are co-resident with at least one of their children aged 18 or younger. \nA disadvantage of this sample is that it excludes not co-resident mothers who have left \ntheir household of origin – often in pursuit of better work opportunities. Consequently \nthe sample underestimates the extent of motherhood as well as the labour force \nparticipation rate of African single mothers in particular. \nDespite this limitation, I am able to gain useful insights into the economic welfare of \nSouth African mothers. By undertaking a descriptive and poverty analysis I show that on \naverage, African and White single co-resident mothers have an inferior economic status \ncompared to African and White married co-resident mothers respectively. I also show \nthat disparities in income exist between the two races with White mothers, on average, \nhaving greater access to resources compared to African mothers. \nA benefit of the GHS 2006 is that it includes individual information on the receipt of \nsocial grant income. Thus I am able to quantify the impact of public transfers, as well as \nother categories of income, on poverty alleviation. I show that African single co-resident \nmothers, in particular, are highly dependent on grants. The study also explores the Child \nSupport Grant (CSG) specifically and notes that the grant is limited in coverage and \nvalue. Furthermore, I highlight that the only other formal method for single mothers to \nobtain financial assistance, is via the private maintenance system, which is fraught with \ninefficiencies and often the costs of engaging with the system far outweigh the benefits. \nThis dissertation therefore highlights the plight of South African single co-resident \nmothers and concludes by suggesting methods for improving their economic status.
Author: Michelle Hatch
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2242010633