Mothers Left without a Man: Poverty and Single Parenthood in China

Qin Li

doi:10.17645/si.v8i2.2678

Abstract

Most single-parent families in China are headed by women, and single mothers represent one of the fastest-growing groups living in poverty. Yet few studies have examined this group. This article seeks to better understand how (and why) single mothers are disadvantaged in China. Based on in-depth interviews conducted in Zhuhai, Guangzhou Province, it demonstrates that single mothers are left behind in four respects: lower income and worse economic conditions, lower employment and career development opportunities, worse physical and mental health, and poorer interpersonal relationships and less chance of remarriage. The causes of these disadvantages include Chinese family beliefs, a culture of maternal sacrifice, the traditional division of labour between men and women and social stereotypes about single mothers. The article highlights the impacts of Chinese familism culture on single mothers and advocates incorporating a gender perspective into the agenda of family policy and other relevant social policies in China.

Highlights

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to eliminate extreme income poverty and halve all forms of poverty, has popularised the language of preventing people from ‘being left behind.’ China is a party to this UN initiative and has launched one of the most compelling poverty alleviation programs in the world
This article explores the deeper reasons why single-mother families are more likely to fall into poverty from the perspective of the gender system and gender roles
This study has explored the issue of female poverty in China by examining single-mother households

Summary

Introduction

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to eliminate extreme income poverty and halve all forms of poverty, has popularised the language of preventing people from ‘being left behind.’ China is a party to this UN initiative and has launched one of the most compelling poverty alleviation programs in the world. Very little is known about the incidence and effect of poverty on women in China, especially single mothers. This article seeks to fill this gap by exploring the issue of female poverty in China by examining single mothers. Single-parent households are increasingly common and have become a social concern in global contexts (Leung, 2016; Leung & Shek, 2015; Maldonado & Nieuwenhuis, 2015). Single-parent households are more likely to be economically disadvantaged, and to fall below the poverty line, than two-parent households across countries (Christopher, 2005). 675) explains, “the nuclear family remains the normative model, and single-parent-headed families continue to be Social Inclusion, 2020, Volume 8, Issue 2, Pages 114–122 characterised in terms of ‘deficits and disadvantages”’ (see Zartler, 2014) As Freeman (2016, p. 675) explains, “the nuclear family remains the normative model, and single-parent-headed families continue to be Social Inclusion, 2020, Volume 8, Issue 2, Pages 114–122 characterised in terms of ‘deficits and disadvantages”’ (see Zartler, 2014)

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Conclusion