Being a single parent is never easy. But, being a single mother in a patriarchal society like ours is really horrific. These single mothers opened up and shared how our society makes them feel; and the answers should put us to shame.
This shocking twitter thread started when Twitter user Pooja Priyamvada opened up about being labelled a “bad woman” or a “desperate woman” just because she is a single mother!
I am a proud Single Parent.
— Pooja Priyamvada (She/Her) (@SoulVersified) June 1, 2021
But I also know I have no family support and if I die my child would end up in an orphanage.
I also know how the society labels me as a single mom- must be desparate, must be a bad woman, must be available.
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To this post, many single mothers and people who know single moms came forward to support Pooja. They shared personal experiences dealing with society’s unkind behaviour, which will break your heart and leave you disgusted. Here’s what some of them shared:
Single women are usually considered as available especially, when they reach 30s. But for a single mother in India, is like living in a city of vultures. You are strong and powerful ❤
— Parul Kulshrestha (@parulkulsTOI) June 2, 2021
Single women and especially single mothers are considered as soft targets/easily objectified by quite a few men.
— Anamika (@HiAinwe) June 1, 2021
It’s true that single mum’s can be vulnerable at times because of the strain of handling everything. But this itself makes them a whole lot stronger in the long run.
Have been a single mum for 21 years now, my son was 5. it’s hard. No question.I was/am privileged to have my entire family around me..rock solid .but yes people are waiting to see a weak spot and pounce. Have become harsh and loud over time with very little patience for whining
— Me. Punekarin (@earthlyactor27) June 2, 2021
My aunt was widowed pretty young. Single handedly raised two daughters with a teacher’s salary. Educated them. One is a lawyer & the other an engineer today. All this while her in-laws took away her gold & blocked access to money so that she wouldn’t remarry. Nothing stopped her.
— Ollie (@OllieTruly) June 2, 2021
This pandemic took my husband last month.. now I am a single parent of my 5 year old son. I am scared to hell.But I will stand strong and support my son as much as possible until I am alive.
— Sara..thush (@neeharabindu) June 2, 2021
For thousands of years we in india have failed to address single women. We tried to kill single women(Sati), or sent them to Vrindawan or tried them to marry the siblings of the deceased or else make them sadhvis.We cannot grasp the concept of a her as a individual, a person.
— Nitibhushansingh Chandel (@DrNitibhushans1) June 2, 2021
Hats off to you & all the single parents who are giving everything to bring up kids alone. My prayers for you & kid. It’s better to be single than be in bad, wrong, disturbed, abused, depressed relationship. Insha’Allah you kid will have a great future.
— Moin (@MKandloor) June 2, 2021
The words that come to my mind when I hear you are- you’re the kind of ‘role model’ single parents and their children need. Clearly you have the confidence to do this and because of that, when you need it, support will come. And your child will grow up proud of you:)
— Naina Kapur (@NainaK) June 2, 2021
Enjoyed reading your post. Indian society treats single women badly. And single mothers ….terribly. Keep being the powerful woman that you are 💥
— Soul Sutras (@Soul_Sutras) June 2, 2021
My great grandmother got out of an abusive marriage, went back to school and completed her education. She then went on to become a principal. She did all this while caring for her daughter who she got married off with her earning.
— Sai Vishal (@VISHSAI) June 1, 2021
You are strong.
It is heartbreaking how single mothers have been treated terribly by our so-called civilized society. From labelling them as bad women to objectifying them, this thread shows the reality of our ugly society. We wish luck and strength to all the single moms across the country to keep fighting for themselves and their kids. They are no less than real heroes!
Do let us know what you think!