Female Headed Families in Georgia: Policy Implications.

This paper considers the rising phenomenon of one-parent, female-headed households in Georgia, identifies family service needs of these families, and explores availability of services. Female-headed families account for 16.4% of all families in Georgia, making it second-highest in the nation. From 1970 to 1980, the number of female-headed families living below the poverty level there increased by 32%. Census data are used to identify 26 (of 159) Georgia counties with higher numbers of households headed by females under age 35 and with children under age 6, and to determine the available day-care services in these counties. Eight of the 26 counties are metropolitan, the rest being more rural, where job opportunities are limited. The need for infant care is critical. The number of female-headed families apparently is increasing with female providers tending to be young and less educated. The relationship between children and employment is also a critical issue, with the lack of adequate child care forcing many female-headed families to live in poverty. One federal program used as an alternative to day care is the Headstart program. In the 26 "high" counties, the ratio of female-headed families to available Headstart placements ranges from 1.7 to 12.6 families per opening. Policy recommendations include consideration of the female-headed household as a new, permanent family form, and the suggestion that policies keep better pace with changing societal needs. This paper contains 24 references. (TES)