(Tangaza University College, 2001-03) Nyamwaya, Jared
The causes of single motherhood in our society are multiple, complex and
controversial in nature. Some of them call for an immediate response. This form of life is
becoming more common and popular in the urban area than in rural areas. In Nairobi the
number of single mothers is growing at a high rate. The phenomenon of single mothers in our
society is no longer a private way of life it used to be in the past. Many people regard single
mothers as people who are "immoral and who are out to look for men to satisfy their erotic
urge". It is true that there are some who are of that nature but not all. There are many
different causes that make women end up being single and these must be understood.
Day after day the number of young women who migrate from rural to urban areas is
growing at high rate. Their going to town has exposed them to other realities thus many have
ended up becoming single mothers. The more the number increases the more the problems
arise such as poor living conditions, inadequate shelter and lack of enough food. To support
themselves and their children some are engaged in small-scale enterprises and some engage in
immoral behavior like drug peddling and prostitution. Looking at single motherhood in an
objective way gives us a picture that they are just people like the rest of other women with
skills and gifts. The only difference is that they lead a single life without husbands.