We’ve known this was coming for decades, and now it’s here. More than 50% of households in America (and Alabama) are headed by a single person (either divorced, never married, or widowed). The figure hovers at just over 50% for the U.S. and for Alabama. Here’s a story about it from the Athens News Courier.
That’s the easy part, understanding the reality of the statistic. The challenge comes when we as a culture try to discern its meanings and lessons.
For starters, we will need to rethink how we allocate employee and tax benefits and Social Security. The system we have in place now is designed to maximize its support of couples who live together with children. Do we want to continue this? Do we wish to reward these traditional families at the expense of those headed by single persons?
And if the answer to the first question is yes, try this reframe: are you, the majority of households headed by single persons, willing to live with less and be treated less generously by your government so that those households with two parents and children living together (which tend to be more affluent anyway) can live in greater luxury?
I honestly don’t have a point of view on these issues. I do believe we need to have a thoughtful, national, and public discussion about them.
Living singly, owning my own home, and struggling with work and house upkeep have been the hardest challenge. Real estate taxes are skyrocketing, and I have difficulty finding workmen who are willing to do small jobs. It was one unexpected side effect of divorce that – 6 years later – I’m still dealing with.
It’s been a struggle living alone and maintaining a house.
I don’t know how long I can keep it up, and there seem to
be no tax breaks. Too bad, as we single folks seem to have
more challenges to maintain our way of living – we have to
do it all without the help of a mate.
This is a real problem for the U.S. First off, most families need both incomes to survive where that was not the case a generation ago. There are so many couples that are divorcing in Houston, Texas. I am sure that it is not much different in other parts of the countries. I worry about the kids involved in these failed relationships. It is so difficult on kids these days that they really need both parents to best prepare them for future challenges.
I also am going through a recent divorce. I found had a strong gut feeling that my husband of 13 years was cheating on me with another woman. We have 2 young daughters together. I needed to find out answers and did my homework and found AllState Investigations. They helped me find out the truth that I was looking for. I now have peace of mind. They were supportive and understanding. If anyone needs answers, call them.
It is ironical to think that money issues are what lead to many divorces, and after divorce occurs the money problems persist and get even worse. If you have children there are several tax breaks that you can take that will reduce your tax liability such as the Child Tax Credit, the Additional Child Tax Credit, Child Care Deduction, Health care costs deduction and the Earned Income Credit.