Special recognition goes to single mothers

centers, or serving prison sentences - these incidences are in the minority

In South Florida, there are great examples of single mothers raising children who have received much sought-after college scholarships and are/or excelling in top echelon careers

Dr. Garth A. Rose grose@cnweeklynews.com editor@cnweeklynews.com

There are millions of mothers worldwide, but special kudos go out this Mother’s Day to mothers, who although impregnated by men, are left to raise their child/children on their own. These single mothers are to be particularly honored, for the stiff challenges they often endure, and overcome.

Andrew Karim akarim@cnweeklynews.com

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Unfortunately, in Caribbean and Caribbean-American communities there is a trend of disappearing fathers These disappearing or absentee fathers, for a variety of reasons, are usually not around to assist in rearing their child/children

This incidence of absentee fathers, and the struggles of single mothers isn’t something new In the Caribbean this has been a historical sociological problem

In 1957, Jamaican anthropologist Edith Clarke published “My Mother Who Fathered Me,” a book highlighting the breakdown of the traditional two parent family in Jamaica, the high incidences of paternal absence in families, and the increase in maternal only families

Since then, the situation has not improved In 2005, a UNICEF report revealed over 45 percent of Jamaican homes were headed only by mothers This trend has not abated

This sociological problem is by no means unique to Jamaica and other Caribbean nations It is also prevalent here in America

Several studies indicate, especially in lowincome families where single mothers struggle financially, the male child is more likely to run afoul of the law Some of these young men, despite the efforts of their mothers to raise them with strict discipline, are more likely to join their peers in antisocial behavior and criminal gangs, because of the absence of a father or father figure in the home It’s not that single mothers aren’t doing a good job, but there’s a special role father’s play in a boy’s life, which mothers cannot fill

Although it is commonly assumed girls are better able to cope with the absence of fathers in their lives, sociologists determine this to be not true Studies have found that some young women who grow up without fathers usually seek a male figure to bond with early in life, often resulting in unexpected and unplanned pregnancies

This is not, whatsoever, assuming single mothers have failed in their maternal responsibilities Absolutely not! Several single mothers through severe adverse circumstances have toiled, scraped and persevered to be mother and father to their children Ninetynine percent of single mothers will do anything to prevail with her responsibility of raising her child/children, the best way she can

In several communities there are outstanding cases of single mothers, who with great selfsacrifice, father their children to be successful citizens Despite incidences of youth from single mother homes being afflicted by early pregnancies - ending up in juvenile detention

The success these single mothers have achieved with their children cannot be praised enough As the economy becomes more difficult, more single mothers have to juggle multiple jobs to maintain the financial needs of the household Along with the pressure of working multiple jobs, they also have to maintain domestic responsibilities of providing meals, doing laundry and keeping clean, secure homes The work of a single mother, without financial support from her child’s father is often grueling and cruel, but, nonetheless, most of these women persevere

Despite these successes, it mustn’t be lost in the social conversation that it isn’t the role of mothers to father their children Several studies and various data indicate the role of a single mother, regardless of how dedicated she is, gets harder the older her child or children become, particularly during their teen years

This is where the role of mentors can be of significant value to single mothers The gap in a child’s life, created by the absence of a father, and the excessive burden on its mother can be bridged by mentors, male and female, who serve either as a supplementary maternal guide to the child, or a strong father figure where there are no fathers

There’s no role as meaningful as that of a woman who relentlessly, with unusual strength, successfully raises her children serving as mother and father This Mother’s Day praise goes out to all mothers, but special praise to single mothers who have prevailed against great odds