The Plight of Being a Single Mother

What is a single mother?

According to Collins Dictionary, a single mother is a mother who has a dependent child or dependent children and who is widowed, divorced, or unmarried. According to PSA or Philippine Statistics Authority, in 2015 there are an estimated two million single mothers in the Philippines. There's a lot of stigma and hardships a single mother faces in raising a child or children.

How difficult it is to be a single mom?

I am a single mom myself and I could say it's not a walk in the park. Raising a child or children all by yourself is the most challenging part of the experience. Just imagine needing to work to earn money while there's nobody else you can leave your child with. Self-pity and exhaustion are one of the first things that you will feel. Then comes, depression. You will feel helpless and weak especially if you don't have any support from family and friends. When your child grows up, there's the dreaded question "Why don't I have a father?" Simple question but very difficult to explain to a child.

Why are there single mothers?

There could be a lot of reasons why a woman becomes a single mom.

1. Pregnancy at a young age.

Based on a survey from PSA, one in ten young Filipina age 15-19 has begun childbearing. Teenagers nowadays are getting in a sexual relationship at a very early age.

2. Death of a partner.

Death of a partner is a common cause of single parenting. Diseases and maternal death frequently resulted in a widow or widower with child/children.

3. Separation

Couples break up. This is something that has been inevitable for relationships. Cheating, immaturity, these are some of the common reasons for separation.

4. Childbirth by a single woman

Some women like being single but wants to become mothers. Sometimes, being a single

mother is a choice.

How to support a single mom

Most single moms need emotional support more than anything else. They need to be reminded that they are wanted and needed in society. If you are friends with single mothers or have a relative like them, stop blaming them for being in that situation. They don't need to be told how difficult being in such a predicament every time.

Single mothers are also experiencing discrimination not just in the workplace but also in society. They are hired less because companies would think they would perform less because of their situation. They would think they are more of a burden than an asset. Single mothers should be evaluated by their talents and skills and not by their status.

Because of the digital age, mothers turn to freelance and work from home. In this way, they not just earn money but take care of their children at the same time.

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