How family Coaches can help single mothers to rise above the Societal Perception against them

The perception of single motherhood in Nigeria and by and large Africa is diverse and influenced by a combination of cultural, economic, and societal factors that vary across regions and communities. It’s important to note that Africa is a vast and culturally heterogeneous continent, and perceptions can significantly differ from one country to another and even within different ethnic or religious groups within a country.

Studying societal perception of single motherhood involves analyzing various factors including attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes prevalent in a given society. Here are some verified data and statistics that support this study vis a vis the challenges facing the single motherhood:

Single motherhood household statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2020, shows there were approximately 10.5 million single mother households in the United States, comprising about 23% of all households with children under 18 years old. This indicates the prevalence of single motherhood within the population, which in turn affects societal perceptions. Also, in Nigeria, a report by UNICEF, as of 2020, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of single motherhood in sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that around 30% of Nigerian households are headed by single mothers. 

There is challenge of income disparities; according to the data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that single mothers are more likely to face economic hardships compared to households headed by married couples. In 2020, the poverty rate for families led by single mothers was 31.4%, significantly higher than the 7.5% rate for married-couple families. 

The research work of Sara McLanahan, born on 27 December 1940, and died on 31 December 2021 is a great insight for me in this scholarly article. I found her work useful. She is known for her work on the family as a major institution in the American stratification system. Her early work examined the consequences of divorce and remarriage for parents and children, and her later work focused on families formed by unmarried parents. Her work has greatly contributed to our understanding of how different family arrangements impact children’s development, academic achievement, and overall outcomes.

On single parenting and child wellbeing, McLanahan’s research has focused significantly on the well-being of children raised in single-parent households, particularly those headed by single mothers. She has conducted numerous studies examining the socio-economic factors, parenting practices, and community support systems that influence outcomes for children in these families. Her work has highlighted the challenges faced by single mothers in providing economic stability, access to resources, and emotional support to their children.

To correct this malady plaguing the single mothers, I suggest the following interventions to family and motherhood coaches to explore with a view to offer lasting solution.

1. Family structure and educational attainment of the children involved. We cannot be talking about single motherhood and underrate the vantage place of family structure and educational attainment of the children involved. McLanahan has explored the relationship between family structure and children’s educational attainment. Her research has shown that children raised in single-parent households, especially those without a father figure present, tend to have lower levels of educational achievement compared to children from two-parent families. The issue of economic challenge as Sara posited is one of them. Single mothers battle with the survival of economic struggles. 
2. Public Awareness Campaigns. Launching campaigns that challenge stereotypes and highlight the diverse realities of single mothers, showcasing their strengths, resilience, and contributions to society.
3. Education and Advocacy Programs. I want to enjoin family coaches to embark in the journey of implementing educational programs in schools, communities, and workplaces to promote empathy, understanding, and acceptance of single mothers. Advocacy efforts can also focus on policy change and legal protections for single mothers.
4. Family coaches have been creating counseling services in their various platform but I will enjoin them to do more by specially tailoring it to the needs of single mothers, providing emotional support, practical advice, and resources for coping with societal pressures.
5. Economic Empowerment Initiatives. The practitioners will do better in creating opportunities for single mothers to gain financial independence through skills training, entrepreneurship programs, access to microfinance, and employment opportunities.
6. Childcare Support Initiative. If the family coaches intensify their effort in providing affordable and accessible childcare options to enable single mothers to work or pursue education without facing excessive financial burdens, the society as a whole will be better for it. 
7. Legal Aid Services. One of the major areas where single mothers suffer is in unavailability of legal aids support. Offering legal aid services to single mothers to address issues such as child custody, alimony, and protection from discrimination in employment and housing.

The challenges facing the single mothers are enormous but implementing these interventions by family and parenting coaches and practitioners would result in several positive outcomes for single mothers and society as a whole:

1. It will reduce stigma and discrimination. By challenging negative stereotypes and promoting understanding, these interventions would help reduce the stigma and discrimination faced by single mothers, allowing them to live their lives free from undue societal judgment.
2. The Mental Health and Wellbeing of these mothers will improve. When family coaches embark massively on these interventions, access to support groups, counseling services, and community networks would provide single mothers with the emotional support they need, leading to improved mental health and overall well-being.
3. We cannot rule out the benefit of increased economic stability. Economic empowerment initiatives, childcare support, and access to employment opportunities would help single mothers achieve greater financial independence, reducing their vulnerability to poverty and economic insecurity.
4. Enhanced parenting skills. Through education and support services provided by coaches and practitioners, single mothers would gain access to resources and information to enhance their parenting skills, leading to positive outcomes for their children’s development and well-being.
5. Overtime family coaches have built ties with single mothers but this will further strengthen stronger communities that will in turn enhance community involvement and support for single mothers and that would foster stronger social connections and a sense of belonging, creating more inclusive and supportive communities for all members.

In Nigeria and Africa, the sense of community is strong, and extended family networks can provide crucial support for single mothers. However, this support may vary depending on the nature of the family and community dynamics. some cultures frown at single mothers and can go to any length to ostracize them without taking into cognizance the children involved and the circumstances that led to the single motherhood.  

Online sources note that a single mum is a mother who does not have a husband or partner. Also, the United Nations Women article, defines a single mum also called a lone mother as a woman with children living with other female relatives when no adult male is present in a household. (source The Punch Newspaper) 

I conclude this paper with a plea to our teaming family and parenting coaches to see that single mothers are not defined by their circumstances; they are empowered by their resilience, strength, and unwavering love for their children. I have taken into account historical, cultural, and economic factors that fuel the perceptions which of course are part of our daily lives. By understanding these challenges and perceptions, family coaches can work towards fostering a more effective and supportive environment for single mothers, ultimately contributing to the well-being of families and communities as a whole.

AKINROPO AKINOLA, is the founder of Parenmark Consulting, a parenting and fatherhood initiative in Lagos, Nigeria. His passion is to increase the quality of parenting and the methodology of nurturing African Children.