Why are single mothers so demonised in our society, when the problem appears to be absent fathers?
Fear campaigns are successful because they target current cultural anxieties. Because it is common for an urban youth to only have a mother, we link crime with absent fathers. Consequently, single mothers who have more than they can handle are considered the “bad guys.” It all comes back to our need as humans to find reasons for the way things are. If we cannot find a certain answer, then we find one that’s close enough. Single mothers fall into this category. It should also be noted that it is still acceptable in our culture to demonize women in general. Take our current example. The absent fathers have used the women for a while, then left. Or note that men are the ones who make laws regarding abortion and prohibiting women’s rights. (I understand that abortion is a very controversial issue, but in all honesty I think that if the genders were switched, then we would have a completely different debate on our hands. But that’s quite a stretch, so let’s leave that issue promptly.) Or co
