Single mothers have it worse than single fathers

Photo of the author
Photo submitted by Jasmine Williams

In my experience living with a single mother, making ends meet was a necessity. My mother raised my brother and me; she did not have the opportunity to make mistakes as a parent. 

We had a very low income and my mom was working two jobs for seven consecutive years to provide for us. She couldn't take off sick days nor vacation days. 

Her determination to push through obstacles such as working every day of the week so my brother and I weren't lacking made me understand that parenting could be hard for her. 

Studies show that female lions hunt for their pride, while male lions are more of the protectors. 

When it is time to give birth a lioness leaves her pride and has her cubs in dense cover.  She keeps her cubs hidden for one to two months before being introduced to the rest of the pride. 

In comparison, a single mother who is getting ready to deliver a newborn baby sometimes distances herself to keep her stress levels down. After delivery, she keeps the child away from anyone for six to eight months because the majority of mothers fear that the child can possibly get sick. The thought of parenting on your own is scary.

Being a single mother is harder than being a single father because of wage gaps, gender roles, and relationships.

 

According to the Pew Research Center analysis of Decennial Census and American Community survey data, Single fathers are more likely than single mothers to be living with a cohabiting partner (41 percent versus 16 percent). Single fathers, on average, have higher incomes than single mothers and are far less likely to be living at or below the poverty line —24percent versus 43 percent. Single fathers are also somewhat less educated than single mothers, older and more likely to be white.

 

“Being a single mother does not come with a handbook,” said mom.

I witnessed my mother take on a father role in order to mold my brother into becoming the best man this world could offer. She ensured that my brother would not be decriminalized but instead accepted among others. 

 

My aunt said, “A mother can not show a man everything, he must learn something through his father’s teaching.” 

 

According to the NWLC’s research, the gender pay gap for African American women overall compared to white men is 63cents and 54 cents for Hispanics or Latina women. Single mothers, on a whole, make only 58 cents to a father’s dollar.

 

A single father has a better chance to live a great life with his children. Worrying about days where his children might have to go to bed hungry is not common. Some single fathers find it harder when they are alone so they are more open to bringing a new spouse around their child. A single father once said, he is grateful that he has a baby girl because all he has to do is buy her things. Single fathers have more of a lenient role when it comes to raising their children. 

 

I will continue to acknowledge both single mothers and single fathers, but all in all single mothers have it harder than single fathers because of the wage gaps, relationships, and gender roles.