KEYWORDS. Single mothers, Widowhood, Single parent widows. INTRODUCTION. Single parent families are families in which one parent lives with chil- dren. A woman can become a single parent as a result of widowhood, divorce, separation, desertion, adoption, planned non-marital and premar- ital birth.

What is the difference between single and widow?

You can only file as a Qualifying Widow or Widower for the two years after the year in which your spouse died. If you do not remarry in the third year after your spouses death, you are considered single. You will need to use the Single filing status unless you qualify to file as Head of Household.