Assets, Human Capital Development, and Economic Mobility of Single Mothers

Abstract

This study examines the relationships of single mothers’ assets (home ownership, bank account ownership, automobile ownership, and net worth) and human capital development (educational advancement, work hours, and job-related training) to their economic mobility. Analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79) indicates factors that could help improve the upward economic mobility of single mothers include their assets, educational status and advancement, and work experience. Mothers’ assets were also positively related to their educational advancement, job training participation, and work hours. Furthermore, it appears that the relationship between mother's assets (automobile ownership and net worth) with economic mobility was partially mediated by work experience. These results support investment strategies to enhance the long-term economic well-being of single mothers.