Single Motherhood and Its Impact on Society: A Kenyan Situation
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Date
2001-02
Authors
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Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
In our traditional African society. single motherhood was not an issue because of the then
profound sense of communitarian life and clan systems. Today in our society, single motherhood
is an undeniable fact. The phenomenon is now taking Africa by storm, and it is highly prevalent in
our African urban centres. It is a phenomenon that is greatly affecting the whole institution of
marriage, the Church, and the society- as a whole. For this reason, it is a phenomenon that is
calling for urgent study and action.
Today we talk of modernization, urbanization, economic revolution, freedom, gender
sensitivity, and so on. These are not just mere ideas but issues, which have a bearing on the.
ground. They have affected all sectors of life, and the family has not been spared either. Today,
single motherhood is not a strange vocabulary. It is a reality, a fact that is to be faced and
understood, as well as a challenge that needs to be addressed. This piece of work is not an
elaborate study on the phenomenon of single motherhood, but rather some of the effects it has on
the society, the Church, and the family. My study concentrates more on the poorer side of the
group, those from the low income-earning neighbourhoods. The study also seeks to see the effects
of this phenomenon on the children of single mothers. 'hese children mostly live under
psychologically disturbing circumstances.
Although the study concerns single mothers, the writer observes that there are also single fathers
who have their own stories to tell. ['hey too stand in need of attention and care Thus, it would
even seem more tidier a work, if I talked of single parenthood instead of just single mothers.
Nonetheless, it is not that I intend to ignore them, but I wish to concentrate on single motherhood
for more focus and precision. It is my hope that through this piece of work, my readers and myself will be more enlightened and rise up more strongly to face this phenomenon with more
understanding, love and empathy.
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Keywords
Motherhood, Society, problems of Single Motherhood