Do kids need a dad? Ask single moms. | It's Been a Minute

More women than ever are choosing to raise their children by their self. Is it time to hit reset on what we mean by "family" in America?

America has some deeply held prejudices toward single moms, but some studies show that 40% of babies in the U.S. are born to unmarried women. In this episode Brittany looks into the joy and challenges these women face - from freedom and agency to affordability and loneliness.

Brittany is joined by Pallavi Gogoi () , NPR's Chief Business Editor, and Danielle Elliot () , writer and a single mother. You can read Pallavi's reporting here () .

(0:00) Hitting reset on the definition of "family" and "single mom"

(5:42) The power & agency of being a single mom

(7:30) Does your child need a present father?

(15:11) The struggles of being a single parent

(18:29) Tips for raising a kid by yourself

Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus. ()

Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram@bmluse ()

For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub () .

See pcm.adswizz.com () for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy ()