Employed Single Mothers:

Abstract

The recent attention on work and family issues has focused almost exclusively on dual earner couples and working married mothers while largely ignoring female headed single parent families. Given that single mothers have and will continue to have a significant presence in the work world, it is important lo consider their priority needs. However, there is minimal empirical data about the work and home lives of working single mothers and little understanding of differences that exist between their experiences and those of other working mothers. This article offers a comprehensive description of the current experiences of employed single mothers and details new insights into their concerns and issues. EAP and corporate stralegies that could reduce stress and enhance resiliency are discussed in order to maximize the role of EAPs in meeting the needs of this growing employee population.