In the situation of a single-parent woman, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for this parent to financially support herself and her child with a minimum wage. The main components of their survival would be meeting the basic needs of shelter, food, clothing and health insurance. If the parent works during the day, they will need to attend an after-school program or the child will need to stay with their family. If the parent had a second or third team, they would also need to set up alternative care for the child. This parent would need a strong network of family and friends to overcome any obstacles they may face. A single parent should decide what the best mode of transportation is, whether it is public transportation or a used vehicle with no car expenses. She could choose to take public transportation, it would cost her $48.00 per month. If the child is sick and needs to see a doctor and be taken out of school, public transportation would not be a feasible plan due to the travel time required. In case a person falls ill, it would deprive him of his job and might even sacrifice his assured position. This person would have to acquire a used vehicle with no car payment and keep up with mechanical maintenance and repairs which could cost between $500 and $1,000 per year and car insurance which could range from $700 to $1,000 per year . In some cases, with a child at the age of ten, a parent may choose to have their child go home and be alone after school. This is considered a “latchkey child” in which the child will stay home alone until the parent returns home. Some parents have no choice but to leave their child alone. Children growing up in this era are given a lot more responsibility too soon...... middle of paper ...... strategies a single parent will come up with could benefit the family or put them in a mountain of debt. I've seen food prices skyrocket over the years, but our wages never seem to catch up with the real cost of living. The state of the economy particularly hurts low-income people because they are most vulnerable to higher costs. In Worcester, Massachusetts, the only option a single parent has to live on their own on minimum wage is to set up services such as housing, mass healthcare, food stamps and can also go in a pantry to supplement the food allowance. It's imperative to have a plan before you jump in and make major changes in your life. Even if there was a roommate involved, it would be difficult to maintain the standard of living. Even in the best case scenario, to make minimum wage, this person would still need a strong support network..