Awareness and Attitude toward Social Services : Survey on Single Mothers in St. Louis and Southwestern Illinois

Abstract

Single mothers have many social handicaps on daily living. They are highly likely to use social services than two parent families. Our survey was carried out through Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater St. Louis and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois. Big Brothers/Big Sisters are organization which offer their services to one parent families, mainly to single mothers families. This article reports findings that indicate hesitation to make use social services on the part of poor single mothers. They also don't have enough information of private social services. Sliding scale system has little influence to those low income groups's motivation of using services. Moderate income groups have little confidence in public services, have more confidence in private services and self help group.