ASU professor cited in article discussing support for single moms

Denise Ann Bodman, a principal lecturer in the Sanford School, offered some of her family studies expertise in an article discussing the top-ranked cities for single moms to live in. The article, written by staff at LawnStarter, compared data on affordability, child care, work-life balance, community support, education and health care in various cities across the US to determine where single moms have the best chance of success. 

Bodman shared insights of her own, emphasizing the importance of positive social networks, local community programs, supportive workplace policies and awareness of the disparities single mothers face. Bodman also mentioned the importance of recognizing that single mothers are not all the same; they come from all walks of life. 

"'Single moms' is not a monolithic category," she said. "Some women are teens and others are in their 40s or older. Some women are well-educated professionals and others are high school dropouts. Some single moms revel in their singleness and others are depressed. Some vote Republican and some vote Democratic. In the end, we need to ensure that all our children are well-cared for, embraced and valued."