Poverty is growing, so what happened?

I've been known with family and local friends of my defense of the single mother, who lives off government programs. My argument isn't right, but rather in their shoes it makes financial sense never to consider cohabitation/marriage. Even when these women re-enter the work force in which many really much want to do, it's impossible unless governmental support systems are there consistently through after-school/summer programs. There is no other parent or ever grandparent to share with the responsibility of a child sick or during a snow day.

Poverty is growing, so what happened? Editorial from the Baltimore Sun

When I learned that single motherhood was the lowest rung of the prosperity ladder 40 years ago, I asked myself, "Why would I choose that?"

Is that still the problem today? Where are the fathers? Where are the husbands? Must fathers live apart from mothers and children so that the government at all levels can give them money? Is it working? Are Baltimore, Maryland, and the federal government proving themselves good parents? Can we reverse this? Are kids so accustomed to having government buy food and shelter that they only have to pay for iPhones?