It's Been a Minute Do kids need a dad? Ask single moms.
Dec 8, 2025
Pallavi Gogoi, NPR's Chief Business Editor with a focus on economic and social trends, teams up with Danielle Elliott, a freelance science writer and single mother, to explore the evolving landscape of single motherhood in America. They discuss why many women are choosing to parent solo, challenging stereotypes of single moms. Insights on the joys and challenges of solo parenting emerge, including the importance of building a supportive community. They also tackle concerns about the absence of a father figure and celebrate the empowerment found in these unique family dynamics.
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Single Motherhood Is Changing
- Single motherhood in America is shifting: more women are choosing to parent alone and doing so later in life.
- Pallavi Gogoi notes many single moms are over 30, better educated, and in full-time jobs.
Choosing Solo Motherhood
- Danielle Elliott shares she pursued solo motherhood and found many women making similar choices nationwide.
- She realized her decision wasn't as unique once she started talking about it.
Old Stereotypes Don't Fit Today
- Cultural narratives stigmatize single moms through tropes like the welfare queen and teen mom shows.
- Brittany Luse frames these images as outdated and misaligned with current data.
