Taking a Toll: The Cost of Rising Prices on Single-Mothers
Imagine doing the weekly grocery shopping for your family. You pick out the usual necessities, such as bread, eggs and cheese. When you get to the checkout, you’re shocked to find that your grocery bill is significantly higher than it was last time you shopped, despite picking up the same items.
The above experience is an unfortunate reality for most Canadians; the terms “inflation”, “rising prices”, and “increased costs” have become all too familiar.
Inflation is defined as "a general increase in prices and fall of the purchasing power of money", according to the Oxford Dictionary. At this point, most of us have felt the consequences of increased costs, which impacts everyday items such as groceries, housing, and childcare-related expenses.
One study even found that the yearly cost of food in 2024 has increased by $800 for a family of four.
For those already working paycheque to paycheque, basic necessities are simply becoming unattainable. Combined with Vancouver's already high cost of living, the consequences of rising costs are disproportionately targeting vulnerable community members living in poverty.
The disproportionate impact on single-parent households
When a family can't make ends meet, it affects all members, particularly the children. Recent statistics show:
Single-parent households are four times more likely to live in poverty than couple families.
Specifically, single mother households, which make up 80% of all single-parent households in Canada, tend to be at a higher risk of poverty and its related consequences of housing insecurity and food insecurity. Other studies found that 1 in 2 single-mother led households are food insecure.
This means single-parent households, particularly those led by single mothers, are hit harder by increased costs. On top of that, several factors can make access to food banks difficult, and food programs through schools don’t run on weekends and holidays, only adding extra strain to families who are already struggling.
How poverty affects children
The financial challenges that come with rising costs don't just affect day-to-day living; they can also lead to deeper and enduring issues, especially in children. Poverty has been shown to negatively impact a child's well-being, academic performance, and mental health. In particular, research shows that poverty can lead to an increased risk of developing various mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety for both parents and children.
However, as basic necessities become increasingly unaffordable, access to mental health professionals is becoming out of reach for many due to the already high costs of services and long wait times. With 1 in 10 Canadians waiting more than six months for an appointment with a mental health professional, mental health care is simply becoming unattainable to single-mother-led families.
Addressing the gaps
Mom2Mom’s vision is to help build a more equitable society where mothers and their children are not limited by poverty. Over the past year, we’ve supported 70 moms and their children through our programs. Thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers, programs like the Compassion Fund, Grocery Program, and Happy Healthy Children are helping to ease financial stress for single mothers in Vancouver.
To learn how you can support single moms facing the impact of rising prices, click here.
Written by Katherine Gagnon