Written by Mandy Wellwood
There have been many debates about this topic over the years. Some sources say that single or unmarried moms are more likely to have unhealthy children because being unmarried or in a lower socioeconomic group increases the risk of problems during pregnancy. They say that the reason these characteristics increase risk is not clear but is probably related to other characteristics that are more common among these women. For example, they are more likely to smoke and less likely to consume a healthy diet and to obtain appropriate medical care.
But, is this really the case when, in our day and age, 1 in 3 babies born are from unwed mothers? If this was the case wouldn’t every third child have a health problem?
The rate of unmarried mothers has increased rapidly since 1980, with the recent increase most pronounced for white women aged 20 years and over. This increase has taken place because women become sexually active at earlier ages and marry later. This is the norm for our society now, so why do people still see it as harmful to the babies?
44 comments:
Having studied the determinants of health in great detail, socioeconomic status plays a major role in a person's health whether it is a male, female, parent, single person, or married couple. It's been studied and studied and shown that people who have very low incomes usually cannot afford proper housing and nutritious food and those things impact their health. It's not to say that this makes them bad, dirty or "sickly" people...it just means that it is more difficult for them to provide the utmost healthy environment possible for themselves and for their children. That is why programs like the Food Bank and social assistance exist...to help these people better be able to afford healthier lifestyles, so to speak.
That being said, simply because you might make less money than someone or because you have less of a formal education than someone does NOT automatically make you a bad parent or your children destined to be unhealthy and horrible kids. A child thrives on love, safety, security and the best possible nutrition that they can get. You provide those things for your children and you're a wonderful parent...whether you do it alone or with a partner.
I don't agree with the umbrella that the children of single mothers have been put under.
Though I cannot relate to the difficulties of raising a child alone, I know that if I was s single mother, I would do everything I could to make sure my child had healthy food, and proper education, even if that meant, that I didn't eat.
Also I believe there is a misconception of how "expensive" it is to eat healthily. Perhaps if one was to buy BOTH junk-food, AND healthy food, then the costs would overwhelm, but by replacing one thing with another, the costs, to me at least, are lowered.
As another factor in good health, being exercise, one does not need to have money to have a fit child. With all the free parks and backyards in Fredericton, I don't think it necessary to enroll a child into a costly sports team, if the money is not available.
I guess my point is, I don't think that children raised by low income families, or single mothers, are any worse off, you find a way.
ooh i have so much to say on this! i do not really think there is as much of a stigma on unmarried or single parents as there used to be now. that children with health problems sometimes is from more low income families because they either do not obviously have the money to afford better care and also because they have not always been properly informed. I do not think thsese things make a bad parent.
Also I have found this city in itself to be quite discriminating. I am aboriginal however I did not grow up on a first nation community but I did live on my own community from a few months before my daughter was born until last fall. the difference in treatment and respect that I received was amazing! I found that if a child is delayed or has health problems doctors assumed that since i lived on a reserve I must have drank and/or done drugs while pregnant. which is the complete opposite i am against drinking and i have never done drugs in my life. Whereas now living off the first nation community i am treated with a little more respect now. I have also seen the treatment to low income people in regards to how they are treated as parents there are a lot of programs out there these families however most do not know of them and are simply not inclined to call around and ask.
I think as far as people being properly informed, that is definitely not a priority for the government no matter the topic.
People are so unaware of what services and information is out there for them.
There needs to be more done to make sure our resources are common knowledge, and I think, things like the food bank, or those people who ARE asking for help, or taking advantage of services, will in turn be feeling less shameful, or embarrassed.
Jessika makes a good point...but, the whole notion of people of a lower socioeconomic class having a harder time being healthy comes down to more than good food and exercise. Yes, there are ways for people who have a lower income to eat better and there are free nutrition segments at grocery stores that teach people how to read labels properly...but sometimes these people can't read, so where does that leave them? Then of course there's the notion of housing. It is ridiculously expensive to live in Fredericton so if you work in a minimum wage job, you're going to have a difficult time finding housing in a good, safe area and for that housing to be of good quality to live in...and that effects health as well. Then there's the idea of benefits...if you're working a minimum wage job that doesn't provide benefits, getting prescriptions is going to be near impossible or extremely expensive and if you or your child has a health condition that requires that medication, oftentimes the prescription is not filled or if it is filled, it's not taken properly so as to stretch out how many pills the person has.
It's really unfair for anyone to assume that because someone is of a lower socioceconmic standing that they purposely provide less for their children...but when it comes right down to it, a lot of times certain things have to go by the wayside. It's a lot cheaper to buy frozen dinners when they are on sale for 99 cents than it is to buy nice cuts of chicken for $5/lb. Sometimes in desperate situations, it comes down to having to choose between eating ANYTHING or eating something that is going to be really good for you and that's a really sad situation not left to single, unwed, lower socioeconomic class women alone.
I think that our society needs to knock themselves down a few pegs and see that these people who are having a hard time living a healthy life for themselves and their children need our help, and not our criticism. I think the Candadian government needs to take a page out of Sweden's book when it comes to taking care of our own.
not only that but in thinking of aboriginal communities people think they get more help (including me until i lived there!) but it is just the opposite...i tried to find out about daycare assistance when looking for employment and there is nothing there and youc annot get any provincial assistance at all so there is nothing out there for people living on thsoe communities. whereas people living off the reserve can get childcare assistance. there are about a million other things too! lol
i do think that minorities and low income families should be more informed about services that are out there for them.
i do agree with the food thing too. you compare cheaper snacks with buying fruit try paying 5 or 7 dollars for a thing of grapes if you are living on 6 or 700 dollars a month.
Exactly! It's difficult enough to buy fresh produce and good cuts of meat when you are working with a so-called "middle class" income...let alone on a minimum wage one. Then of course out of your $700 you also need utilities, housing costs, probably childcare and probably transportation.
Well, we don't eat grapes, we eat apples, or bananas, much cheaper. Raisins provide a ton of nutrients and much more affordable than grapes. Also, what about growing your own tomatoes or green peppers? Even onions. What about making your own bread? That's what I do..
Living in Canada, we can't have a garden outside all year round, let alone if you don't have a yard to do so in, but a small indoor vegetable plant can provide more than enough to feed a mom and baby, even a big family like mine. I am in no way trying to judge, just providing some suggestions to economic healthy eating.
I agree, there are sacrifices that can be made. Not going out and paying for your activity, or babysitter for the night out.
I think you're missing the point...these moms generally (and I'm using the term VERY loosely here...but from my own research, that's what I've found) don't have the knowledge around such things to be able to problem solve in those ways. Sure someone who is knowledgable and able to do things like garden, can garden. But like I said, a lot of the time these people can't even read. And a lot of the times they are working 2 jobs just to make ends meet...so that means a day job and a night job so when would they have time to tend a garden, let alone have any type of a social life? It's not as easy a fix as you think.
I also want to add that I know there are more factors than just food and exercise, but I feel that those are two HUGE factors in healthy living. And back to my point, a well-to-do family can have a sick child just as easy as a single mom with a low income. Genetics also play a role in health concerns, and in that case, no one can be to blame.
I'm not trying to imply that it is an easy fix
You refer to the fact that some cannot even read, that falls back on my point that our communities, whether they be government employees or volunteers, need to help one another in a hands on manner. Because though someone may not be able to read, they are still competent, and can still learn by example.
But there is a HUGE difference between having a sick child due to some genetic condition or having a child who is continually sick from being exposed to things that go along with substandard housing, poor nutrition, high stress levels, etc etc etc. Going for a walk and eating better is not going to help much when you go home to an unsafe neighbourhood where there is mold in your apartment...provided you even have a home at all.
I am a single mom, and I have never had a sick baby, he's 2 and i know many well off families who have regular health issues, colds, flus, and more, i dont think that single moms have worse of kids.
But then you've got the pride issue...a lot of these people are too proud to admit that they can't read or to ask for help especially when that help often comes from professional people. These people usually feel inferior to professionals and avoid dealing with them whenever possible. They fear authorities coming into their homes and taking their children away.
healthy eating and exercise are two big factors yes. BUT its not a simple answer to even just that. some families with no money buying healthy food is not as easy especially with other expenses thrown in. one would buy the cheapest foods. and healthy food does cost more. which is why if you go to a cafeteria or fast food place your paying twice as much for a salad as you would for say fries or burger. exercise is easy but with families who have to work 2 or 3 jobs and are not around because they are trying to make ends meet are not able to simply make sure this happens for their families.
a well to do family can have a sick child HOWEVER a well to do family would be better equipped financially to care for this child.
Exactly my point, if these resources we have access to, were more used, and more exposed and advertised, they would then become more acceptable, because no matter how much people try and say they don't, most always follow the crowd. Know what I mean?? LOL
"I am a single mom, and I have never had a sick baby, he's 2 and i know many well off families who have regular health issues, colds, flus, and more, i dont think that single moms have worse of kids. "
Whoever said this...you make a good point. It's not JUST that a person happens to be single that all these issues come about and I think that's a big stereotype that needs to be remedied. There are lots of single parents who work extremely hard and are able to provide for their children...I'm talking about the people who, for whatever reason, simply cannot. And it comes down to whole families as well as single individuals. We can't generalize to single moms alone because that's just not the case.
Is there a Co-op Housing program in Fred?
Jessika, these resources available are almost TOO well used and they are burning out...THAT'S the real issue here. The food banks are barren most of the time, the shelters are overcrowded, doctors cannot take new patients, people don't have drug coverage, ER and walk in clinics are over run and short staffed, social workers are in short supply, etc etc etc. Getting the word out that these services are available is not going to solve anything because the services are already filled to max capacity. There needs to be an actual increase in services for there to be a difference...and contrary to your previous statement about it not being the governments responsibility to make people aware, it IS their responsibility to put our tax dollars where they count most.The saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of action couldn't be more true than it is in situations like this.
ther eare housing for low income families. and families on social assistance.
and i dont think this has anything either to do with single parents. like i said earlier there is really not a stigma attached to single parents as there used to be.
I agree, a lot of our tax dollars go to waste, into programs that never get put in place, millions of dollars. There definitely needs to be a reorganization of priorities. But how do we let them know what we want? It's hard to have a voice in such a huge auditorium.
Write letters to your local member of parliment, to the premier himself, get on committees, volunteer at these organizations, donate, you name it! There are lots of ways to help out.
I was just asking (about co-op housing) in reference to the comment about lack of affordable housing in Fredericton and thus resulting in homeless children, or moldy poor environments in those homes that ARE affordable.
just because the housing is for low-income does not mean that they are suitable living conditions.
i know i have tried complaining about the lack of economic help i have recieved... they do give money so individuals, but not enough. and the more money you make the less they give you, they make it hard to get a head. anyway, i have gotten no respnse form the complaint
i dont agree with the first comment at all!
"just because the housing is for low-income does not mean that they are suitable living conditions."
I didn't mean to imply that, it was just a questions, because I honestly did not know.
Exactly my point. Sure they are affordable and if you're lucky, they are liveable too. And again, we get back to funding and resources for programs like this. Often times these housing arrangements are subsidized by the governement so that the rent can be lower for the tennants. Where does that money come from? The government. And if money is coming in to make the rent lower, where will money come from for the upkeep of the dwelling? The government...except it comes in very small doses if it comes at all.
what don't you agree with about the first comment?
WELL, i have made many sacrifices, and i am not single but we dont make a lot of money at all, and we have found after a long hard search good housing, and a good price, i pride myslef on how good i feed my family, and i agree that it costs more to eat bad food, which has shown that it comtributes to bad health, being a low income family i feel that i have the right to say that jsut becuase someone doenst make a lot of money doenst mean their family is sicker then the rich.
"It's not to say that this makes them bad, dirty or "sickly" people...it just means that it is more difficult for them to provide the utmost healthy environment possible for themselves and for their children."
"simply because you might make less money than someone or because you have less of a formal education than someone does NOT automatically make you a bad parent or your children destined to be unhealthy and horrible kids. "
Did you READ the first comment?
the person commenting is just saying that having less money makes it harder to provide...common knowledge i thought..and the second part is saying being low income doesn't make you a bad parent...
im failing to see the problem..
well i think you were trying to generalize all low income families.
A generalization doesn't include purposely stating exceptions...perhaps you're getting a bit defensive? No generalization was intended...which is why the exceptions were included.
I think what the first poster meant was that the majority in face DO struggle. It's great that you have found a way to make things work for you and your family.
in fact **
I was a single mother, and now that I'm not I think about all those lonely nights I use to have. Isn't more unhealthy for the struggling parent then it is for the Child? My son has adapted fine. Four years without a father figure has not harmed him nor the fact that my monthy income was usually no more then 1000. If the parent , usually the mother, sets her goal to raise a child and she stands by her word then the only person I see going without is her.
I agree!!! Amanda, I made sacrifices too, and it's me that goes without! not my child. There are a lot of things I don't take advantage of anymore.
all i ever needed when i was doing it alone was a hug. So to all the single mom's in here. My arms are open wide, it's a journey that only a hero can accomplish. So my hat is off to you. Have a good day.
I can't wait to be a mom so I can chime in on topics like this. You guys are so fortunate.
You can still give us your thoughts!! Are you pregnant?
Wow it is sooooo hot out today ladies!!!
Woah, thanks for your input girls! :)
-Mandy
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