Overcoming Stereotypes About Poor Appalachian Single Mothers

This research is an adaptation of Sharon Hays' study of the real lives of low income single mothers. While Hays' study took place in an urban area, the current study was completed in a rural locale. Hays' research demonstrates that we need to look past stereotypes and cultural misconceptions about the poor in America, if we are to learn how to effectively help single mothers overcome poverty, make ends meet, and provide a better life for their children and themselves. The goal of this study was to build upon Hays' research by gaining a broader and more complete understanding of the real lives of all single mothers through the examining of the life experiences of rural Appalachian single mothers, an often invisible group of single mothers. This research suggest that (1) stereotypes of Appalachian single mothers are hindering the development of effective and appropriate poverty policy, (2) Appalachian single mothers face regional specific obstacles to making ends meet, and (3) there are differences in the single mother population that spatial inequality cannot account for which needs to be addressed in poverty policy.