How abuse plays a role on why single moms are on welfare

According to Statistics Canada, there are more than a million single mothers in Canada -- one of the country's fastest-growing population groups. They are often alone, overwhelmed and poor. Many live on social assistance and struggle to raise their children.

Lea Caragata wanted to better understand the experience of single mothers on welfare, so she undertook a research study that had her interview 120 single mothers in Vancouver, Toronto and St. John's over a five year period.

As part of our Project Money, Lea Caragata joined us to discuss her findings. She is a Professor of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University and co-editor of Not the Whole Story: Challenging the Single Mother Narrative. Lea Caragata was in Toronto, along with two of the women who took part in her research study, Stacey and Jane (to protect their privacy, we are not using their last names).

If you'd like to comment on what we've been talking about... if you are a single mother who is, or has been on social assistance... tell us about your experience.

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This segment was produced by The Current's Idella Sturino and Josh Bloch.