Family stability may be more crucial than 2 parents for chi...(e parents who provide a stable home envi...),Health

"I don't think we can say that growing up in a stable single parent home is necessarily worse than growing up with two married parents," she said.

The issue is especially important because the federal government promotes "healthy" marriage for single mothers under its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program the aid program that replaced welfare in 1996.

"Based on this study, we can't say for sure that marriage will be a good thing for the children of single mothers particularly if that marriage is unhealthy and does not last," she said.

Other research suggests that single mothers in the TANF program would be at great risk of divorce if they did get married, because of their lower levels of education, lower income and the fact that they have a child. And a divorce would cause the family instability that truly does have negative consequences for children.

"My message to single moms is to think carefully before they decide to get married or live with a partner," she said.

"Both romantic relationships and parenting are hard work. Unless you think that you and your partner can make it for the long haul, I think it would be better for single moms to avoid moving in with romantic partners. Family transitions are hard for kids."

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