It’s no secret that single mothers often face unique challenges when raising their children. They are often juggling work, childcare, and family responsibilities all on their own. And, unfortunately, they are often judged by society for being “single” parents.
However, what is often overlooked is the fact that single fathers also face many of the same challenges as single mothers. They, too, are often juggling work, childcare, and family responsibilities all on their own. But, for some reason, they are not always viewed in the same light as single mothers.
One theory is that single mothers identify themselves as “single mothers” because they want pity. They want people to feel sorry for them and to offer them help. Single fathers, on the other hand, often don’t identify themselves as “single fathers” because they don’t want pity. They want to be seen as strong and capable of raising their children on their own.
This theory plays into the stereotype that single mothers are needy and weak, while single fathers are strong and independent. This is usually not the case but rather more of a manipulation tactic women use.
They feel like if they can gain an emotional reaction from someone based on their motherhood status that they’ll receive some sort of benefit from it, and guess what? They’re right.
Women use the term all the time and it gives them more allowances in their lives. They get more flexibility because of the perception that they are juggling raising kids all on their own when in reality the fathers are doing the same things.
So, why do single mothers identify themselves as “single mothers” while single fathers often don’t? Simply because they want pity and use it as a manipulation tactic. They want people to see them as struggling and in need of help.
