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The Historical Development of Public Policies Impacting Single Mothers in Germany and the United States
Fri, April 8, 4:05 to 5:35pm, Convention Center, Floor: Level Two, Exhibit Hall D Section CAbstract
Arguing for the importance of higher education for single mothers’ and their children’s economic stability, the purpose of this comparative study was to provide an historical overview of how the lives of single mothers have been shaped and reinforced by popular beliefs manifested in public policies. Two contrasting welfare states – Germany, a conservative and the United States, a liberal welfare state - were chosen to explore differences and similarities regarding discourses and public policies development. Findings suggest that underlying assumptions of the role of the welfare state and the role of the mothers impact the development or absence of policies, influencing especially single mothers’ capability of pursuing, securing, accessing, and finishing higher education.