Meet Bri, a hardworking single mom of four from Fort Worth, Texas, who is facing challenges in providing for her children. She juggles driving for DoorDash, Walmart Spark, and Skipcart, but only manages to bring in an average of $400 a week after covering her expenses. This falls short of what she needs to comfortably support her family.
Bri’s journey has been tough, having battled cancer and suffered a knee injury while working at an Amazon warehouse. Despite these setbacks, she persevered and began driving for DoorDash, although she is still on the waitlist for Grubhub and Uber Eats. Initially making around $800 a week, her income has dwindled over time, making it difficult for her to make ends meet.
“In this economy, I couldn’t afford to feed my children,” Bri shared with Business Insider, emphasizing the challenges faced by single parents like herself. With her kids relying on school meals for breakfast and lunch, and being ineligible for Medicaid or food stamps, Bri struggles to juggle driving hours, taking care of her children, and pursuing a degree in data analytics.
Many single parents turn to gig work as a way to provide for their families without the constraints of a traditional 9-to-5 job. While companies like Uber and Lyft have expressed commitment to improving the driver experience, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Drivers, including single parents, face increased competition, lower rates, and rising maintenance costs, making it harder to earn a decent living.
The flexibility that gig work offers can be appealing to single parents, allowing them to work around their children’s schedules. However, the financial drawbacks, lack of benefits, and uncertainty of income make it a challenging path for many. As costs rise and earnings decline, single parents find themselves in a precarious position, struggling to make ends meet while providing for their families.
Gig driving is not without its challenges, especially for parents of young children. Stories like Starla’s, who drives long hours to support her daughter, or Genesis, who worked tirelessly but struggled to make ends meet, highlight the harsh realities faced by single parents in the gig economy. Balancing work, childcare, and financial stability is an ongoing battle for many, with no easy solutions in sight.
Even parents with older children, like Paul and Stormy, find themselves grappling with the limitations of gig work. Despite their efforts, they struggle to generate sufficient income to support their families, facing financial stress and uncertainty along the way. As they search for stability and better opportunities, the road ahead remains challenging for single parents in the gig economy.
Are you a ride-hailing driver facing similar challenges? Share your story with us at nsheidlower@businessinsider.com. Let’s shed light on the realities of gig work for parents trying to make ends meet.
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