THE PHENOMENON OF SINGLE MOTHERS: When Shared Responsibilities Rest on One Shoulder
While the traditional family model is based on the presence of a father, a mother, and children, the reality is quite different for many women today. Left to their own devices with one or more dependent children, they embody the growing phenomenon of single mothers.
A single mother is an unmarried woman who raises her children alone. Whether she is geographically single, separated, divorced, or widowed, she becomes the sole pillar of a single-parent family, assuming sole legal, educational, and financial responsibility for her children.
For Amed Obinti, a youth worker and consultant, this status often refers to « a young woman or a minor who has experienced motherhood outside of marriage and who alone assumes the upbringing and care of her child. » In short, a single mother is someone who, without a partner, independently provides for the needs of her family.
Several factors explain the proliferation of this phenomenon. According to the expert, the causes are numerous: « a lack of sex education, the abdication of responsibility by the girl’s parents or the father of the child. » Added to this are economic insecurity, socio-cultural and religious pressures, and marital breakdowns.
Faced with the announcement of a pregnancy, some men choose to flee or radically change their attitude, abandoning their partners to the burdens ahead. This is the case of Josiane Douden (not her real name), who agreed to share her story: « As soon as I became pregnant, his behavior changed. No more calls, no more messages. » The man immediately shirked his responsibilities: « He barely gave me any money for my exams and medical supplies, » she adds. The expenses related to housing, schooling, and food, which should have been shared, now fall solely on the mother.
For Amed Obinti, the consequences of this situation impact the child (deprived of paternal affection), the community, but first and foremost the mother herself, exposed to « financial insecurity, psychological distress, and sometimes even the risk of suicide. » Overwhelmed by these difficulties, Josiane Douden admits to sometimes being forced to give in to the advances of other men to provide for herself and her child. « I assure you, this life is not easy, » she confides bitterly.
To reverse this trend, Amed Obinti advocates concrete actions: « We must intensify awareness campaigns on sexual and reproductive health, ensure holistic care for existing cases, and also severely punish fathers who abdicate their responsibilities. »
✍️ Alvine ALLOGOGO (Intern)
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