The rise of grandfamilies also highlights another growing branch of America's changing family tree: The single parent household, overwhelmingly headed by mothers.

CNN: Economy sends more kids to grandma's house

Even at that age I could sense the gap in wealth and living standards compared to the relative comfort of growing up in a single parent family in Croydon.

BBC: Irish election: Enda Kenny claims opposition victory

But what Scarborough failed to mention is that same black man came from a single-parent home where the mom had to go on welfare just to feed her family.

CNN: Commentary: Race, faith and politics

One family in five in social housing is headed by a single parent, triple the percentage of the population at large.

ECONOMIST: Urban policy

She'd been a single parent to their ten-year-old daughter, finished her nursing degree, and handled the family's finances.

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