Economic Struggles Facing Single Mothers and Their Children

Introduction

Single mothers face hardships well beyond what is experienced by two-parent families or even single fathers. These struggles can involve money, time, education, emotions, spiritual concerns, mistreatment, and judgment from others, among many other issues. The reasons why a person became a single mother are often questioned, and opinions are freely expressed without being solicited. With so much to contend with, single mothers can feel like giving up. The majority of them, however, do not. They continue to press on and do everything they can to ensure their children have what they need and grow up to be healthy, happy people. It can be difficult and thankless work for many years, but it can also be highly rewarding for those who have chosen it — or who have ended up in that situation through less fortunate circumstances.

Single mothers appear to be nearly everywhere in the United States. They are seen on television, in local grocery stores, and on social media, sharing the latest accomplishments of their children. But how did they get there? Whether they chose to be single mothers or ended up that way through other circumstances often affects how people view them and the judgments made regarding their life choices. Single mothers who are widowed are not judged in the same way as those who are divorced, and those who became mothers without ever being married often face the highest level of judgment (Allen, Nunley, & Seals, 2011). In addition, that judgment generally falls along age and gender lines, and is further shaped by opinions regarding race, sexual preference, and other factors (Dlugonski & Motl, 2014). A wealthy white woman in her mid-thirties who chooses to have a baby without a partner will not be perceived the same way as a nineteen-year-old who becomes pregnant accidentally and must seek public assistance because she is unsure who the child's father is.

Naturally, many scenarios fall between those two extremes. However, the judgment of single mothers persists. That judgment must be managed on top of all the other issues these mothers face each day, including how they will afford to feed their children, how they will handle child care and work, and many other aspects of raising a child without a second parent available to share the physical and emotional burden (Zabkiewicz, 2010). Whether these single mothers chose that path intentionally or ended up there because of circumstances beyond their control, they still face the same daily responsibilities without the help of a spouse. Some have better support systems than others, and that difference can be significant for both them and their children (Zabkiewicz, 2010).

Everyday Life Struggles

Many people struggle with the basics of life, and when a person is a single mother, she does not have a spouse to rely on when she needs help. That can make basic challenges feel insurmountable. Single mothers must find ways to navigate difficulties that partnered parents often share, regardless of whether they chose single motherhood or arrived there without a choice (Golombok & Badger, 2010). There is no doubt that they face a different set of challenges than those who are married (Allen, Nunley, & Seals, 2011). Most of the challenges these mothers face revolve around time and money. They struggle with finding work, arranging child care, paying for that care, and pursuing further education so they can obtain better employment — especially when they are young (Broussard, Joseph, & Thompson, 2012). There are exceptions, but most single mothers fall into this pattern. Understanding the issues they face most often reveals the areas where they need the most support.

Employment and Education

Many single mothers are either unemployed or underemployed (Bernal & Keane, 2011; Bratter & Damaske, 2013; Chen, Gu, & Chen, 2012; Correa, Bonilla, & Reyes-MacPherson, 2011). For some, this is because they did not work while they had a partner. For others, it is difficult to find employment once they have a child. As a result, they end up on public assistance, living with friends or relatives, or moving frequently from one arrangement to another (Golombok & Badger, 2010). Some may even become homeless, living in a car or staying in a shelter (Bratter & Damaske, 2013). These unstable arrangements can recur repeatedly if the mother cannot secure lasting, quality employment (Bernal & Keane, 2011). One pathway to better employment is through higher education. Single mothers who return to college and earn a degree often find improved job opportunities, but finding the time and money to pursue education is extremely difficult for most women raising children alone (Broussard, Joseph, & Thompson, 2012; Cheeseman, Ferguson, & Cohen, 2011).

Employment for single mothers is frequently limited to retail, fast food, and part-time work that can be performed while children are in school (Mullins et al., 2011). When children are not in school, maintaining employment becomes difficult because someone else must watch the children. Older children can often be left with more independence, but very young children cannot be left alone while their mother works. Protecting young children from having to fend for themselves limits their mother's employment options, as does the fact that many single mothers have limited educational credentials (Zabkiewicz, 2010). While some older, well-educated women are single mothers, the majority are young and hold no credential beyond a high school diploma or GED. That makes both finding a job and pursuing more education difficult — though not impossible. Public assistance programs can provide temporary relief, but sustained improvement typically requires access to education, which in turn demands time and money that are hard to come by when caring for young children on a low income (Allen, Nunley, & Seals, 2011).

References

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