In conducting my research for this blog, I have become more aware of the similarities and vast differences of single mothers in countries other than America. Mothers are mothers worldwide and that does not change, but the status of single mother can make all the difference in the world.
Economics or lack of adequate and equitable wages seems to be a worldwide problem. Working mothers in Sri Lanka, Syracuse, and Shanghai face monthly budget deficits that never seem to be satisfied even with additional overtime or taking on a 2nd or 3rd job. Mothers across Europe desire better living conditions for their families but will loose out on hundreds of dollars or more in child support due to inept government collection systems.
Lack of job skills troubles mothers in Africa and South America who attempt to work in a primarily male dominated workforce. Stress of the constant activity is expressed through exhaustion and sometimes yelling by mothers who don’t really mean to, but out of frustration don’t know another way.
In other areas of the world there is more pain and suffering as people are brutalized by terrorist events. Single mothers loose their lives in the sudden blast of a car bomb, children are orphaned and lives are destroyed in the blinking of an eye. Others die when bombs burst through their bedroom doors and promises of peace are lost as well. Mothers living in the projects bury their young son’s when the bullets tear through their flesh and the effects pierce their own broken beating hearts.
Forgive me please if this article is more somber than most of my prose. Perhaps it is the heat or the events of the world as of late that cause my mind to ponder more deeply than it should. Just so you should know that I am still me I will leave you with this sentiment-Single mothers have a difficult time that is for sure, but the joys we know in opposition to the distress are even sweeter than the rest.