Maryland Rural Families Speak: On Life in a State of Poverty

Introduction What is life like for families in rural areas since the passage of welfare reform in l996? Are they self-sufficient? If not, how much public assistance do they use? To whom do they turn for help? These and other questions prompted researchers from 15 states to join together to investigate the little-known lives of 448 low-income families living in rural areas. The intent of the research is to provide current information to citizens, public policy makers and program directors as a basis for decision- making about the well-being of these families. Maryland's 35 families live in Dorchester County on the Eastern Shore and in the mountains of Garrett County. Both of these counties are at or near the bottom in economic indicators. From those first interviews ¹, they shared the following information. Family Economic Well-being The mothers are working-many two and three jobs. Their partners are working. Their jobs are primarily in the service sector--the poorest paying with few or no benefits. Though working to make income, they live at or below the poverty level. Making Ends Meet These families have difficulties stretching their income for basic needs. Food and clothing tied for the top challenges followed by school expenses. For help, most turn to their families. When more help is needed, they turn to the community. Of the 15 sources of public assistance used, food assistance tops the list-school lunch, food stamps, WIC. Food Insecurity Many of these mothers are food insecure-they lack the ability to access at all times enough food to meet nutritional requirements to live a healthy life. These mothers sacrifice food for themselves to feed their children. Health These families are not well. Mothers reported having 5 health problems in the past year; partners having 3 and children having 3. Half of the mothers are suffering from depression as measured by a standardized scale-well beyond that found in the general population. Beyond the chronic stressor of poverty, they faced 10 major stressors and 5 crises in the previous year. The mental and physical well-being of these families affects their ability to earn when work is missed. Most do not have health benefits for all of the family.

In Their Own Words: Life in the State of Poverty

"I'm getting my GED. In the last two years, I've really worked hard to bring up my skills and my education level. It's not that I'm not trying." "Well, right now I'm just looking for another job and making a little bit more money that I could just go ahead, just have a little bit extra, not have too much because I know you won't be able to meet your needs where there's everything to be paid?I just want to be in the middle, lately I'm just under, I'm just making it and it's not even at carpet level." "We've had one year out of the past nine that's been no hospitalization or anything. I mean that's really a lot of my worries."

Maryland Mothers in the study:

Average age - 28
Average # of children - 2
Married or living with partner - 57%
Education, High school or GED - 20%; Beyond 49%; Below 31%
Race: 54% white, Non-Hispanic; 34% African American; 9% Native American; 2.9% Multiracial

Research Study Description: This multi-state, longitudinal study began in l998 and continues through 2003. Its intent is to contribute to the debate and discussion surrounding welfare reform and public assistance for low-income families living in rural areas and to fill a void in information about rural families. In year one, 422 families in 27 counties in 14 states provided demographic, economic, mental and physical health, housing, childcare, transportation, food security, and family support information. The same families will be re-interviewed for 3 years to track their well being over time. The study is part of the USDA Agricultural Experiment Station research with funding from the USDA National Research Initiative, cooperating universities and the private sector officially known as NC223: "Tracking the Well-being of Rural Low-Income Families in the Context of Welfare Reform." Cooperating states include: California, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon and Wyoming.

¹ Families will be interviewed three times over three years. These data come from Y2000.

For more information, contact Dr. Bonnie Braun

Last updated: 03/23/2006