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Stop calling me a single mother
Parenting shouldn’t come with a relationship status
Each time my mom applauds me for being a good single mother I cringe. Outside of the praise, all I hear is “single mother”. My respect for her and understanding what she means prevents correction.
For the record I am not a single mother. I am a mother. Period.
I’ve read the statistics relating crime and single mother households. I’ve heard what the manosphere and mgtow (men going their own way) communities have said. And still, there are single mothers knocking it out the park. As a matter of fact, there are single fathers and grandparents doing excellent jobs in raising their children and grandchildren.
Children aren’t at greater risk because a parent is single; necessarily. They are at risk due to unfit parents. Adults who lack financial stability, a healthy mental and emotional state, and a supporting cast places children in challenging circumstances also.
Schools and communities that are underfunded lack the staffing, materials, and programs needed in the development of our youth. “It takes a village”, is a saying for a reason.
Parents are parents regardless of relationship status. This is the reason I shun the term ‘single mother’. Have you met anyone who’s introduced themselves like, “Hi, I’m a married mother.”?
We are all single individuals, partnered or not. Quality of life is contingent on the quality of the person. Not just those in relationships or married.
Humans need support. Humans need love and community. Under positive, healthy circumstances any one can thrive. Including children of single parents.
