THE UNEQUAL TREATMENT OF SINGLE MOTHERS AND FATHERS IN SOCIETY

By Nur Mohamed

There are currently approximately 2.3 million separated families in the whole of the UK. The lone parents as a result of separation raise 3.6 million children. statistics reveal that half of all children in lone-parent families are in relative poverty. The Guardian puts as many as 3.1 million children living with single parents. Alarmingly, an overwhelming majority of the close to 2 million single parents in the UK are women. Research shows that children that live and grow with their single parents usually have lower cognitive outcomes than those with their parents together, however, other researchers claim that parents’ status or family structure doest itself impact children’s cognitive development.

However, single parenthood has become a more common occurrence today, with many individuals choosing to raise their children alone due to various circumstances. However, single mothers are often subject to a different set of societal norms and expectations compared to single fathers, leading to an unequal treatment of these two groups. Single mothers continue to face scrutiny and judgement from society, with many assuming that they are responsible for their children’s upbringing alone. They are often seen as being a burden on society, with many people assuming that they are dependent on welfare or other forms of government assistance. As a result, single mothers are often subject to stigma and discrimination in various aspects of their lives, such as employment opportunities and housing.

The stigma and people’s perception towards single parents differs across societies. However, though there have been improvements recently, there is a huge need for certain communities to learn a lot to show the same support and attitude as single parent families.

On the other hand, single fathers are often overlooked and not given the recognition they deserve for their efforts in raising their children alone. Society tends to view single fathers as being “heroic” for taking on the responsibility of raising their children alone, while single mothers are often viewed as being “irresponsible” for their situation. This double standard perpetuates the idea that single fathers are doing something exceptional, while single mothers are not. This unequal treatment of single mothers and fathers is not only unfair but also harmful to society. By subjecting single mothers to stigmatisation and discrimination, society is perpetuating the idea that women are not capable of raising children alone, which is simply not true. Single mothers should be given the same opportunities and support as single fathers and should not be judged for their situation. At the same time, single fathers should be acknowledged and celebrated for their hard work and dedication in raising their children alone. They should not be overlooked or ignored, as they face many of the same challenges as single mothers in raising their children alone. Society should recognize the unique struggles that both single mothers and fathers face, and work towards creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for all single parents.

It is important to note that not all single parents are the same, and their experiences may differ based on their individual circumstances. Some single mothers may have a support system of family and friends to help them, while some single fathers may struggle with societal expectations of masculinity and the assumption that men are not suited for the role of the primary caregiver. It is crucial to approach the topic of single parenthood with nuance and sensitivity, and to recognize that every family is unique and deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. The unequal treatment of single mothers and fathers in society perpetuates harmful stereotypes and expectations that are not reflective of reality. Single mothers should not be subject to stigma and discrimination, while single fathers should be acknowledged and celebrated for their hard work and dedication. It is time for society to recognize the unique challenges that single parents face, and to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for all families.