Choosing to be a single mom is a very personal and
emotional choice. The trend of single motherhood is on the rise.
Previously, women used to become single moms only by chance, due to a
divorce, death of the spouse, or unplanned pregnancies before marriages.
Being a single mother was not an option to choose and was even
considered derogatory, in the past. Single mothers who were never
married were often ridiculed and socially ostracized. But times have
changed now and women are becoming single moms by choice. They adopt
babies or may even go for artificial insemination. However even now when
a woman decides to become a single mother, her fear of facing the
outraged people throwing stones at her often bothers her. Thus, it is
very bold decision which needs courage & confidence.
Single Mom By Choice or By Chance
Single motherhood is growing globally. The figures have almost doubled
in the past 20 years. The trend started with celebrities and other
successful career women proudly deciding to be a single mother without
affecting their career. Today, women are as much career oriented as men;
they reach their 40s, while pursuing their careers and still prefer to
live alone and decide to be the single mom. The situations can be
different for single mothers, like women who have never been married;
others are divorced, or widowed before becoming mothers. Yet each of
them has a characteristic in common and that is the desire to be a
mother, and a belief that they can alone do a good job of raising a
child. Remember that a good support network such as close friends,
babysitters, doctor and family is crucial to the success of single
parenting.
Financially Secure Single Moms
Besides money, car, nice clothes and a big house, these career-oriented
women also long to have children and a loving family for themselves.
Raising children and sharing happiness with them, gives them the sense
of satisfaction that only a mom can feel. Singe mothers by choice are
financially secure, professional women for whom motherhood is a chosen
decision. They can be seen as radical feminists, who want to change the
traditional family structure. These are the strong-willed women having
enough confidence in them and know that they can take care of their
child, or children, alone. They are ready to face the society and any
comments that may come their way. Being a single parent, they have to
prepare themselves for child's questions at various life stages about
father and husband.
Single Moms - Getting Acceptance
People are also accepting the decision to be a single mom now and also
offer to help. Government and private employers have also started
extending maternity benefits to single moms. They have been provided
day-care facilities and tax concessions. Even their work hours can also
be minimized, if they demand. As the challenges of raising a kid remains
the same as any mother. Only the difference is that they are dealing
with them without a partner. This makes few things easier and few things
difficult. Thus, if you are deciding to be a single mom, you must be
prepared for it as it's not only you who would be affected by this
decision, but it can also affect your baby. So if you have moved ahead
with your decision of raising a baby alone, don't worry and be positive
regarding the upbringing of your child.
|