single mother
Lone female guardian
A single mother is a woman raising a child or children without a partner.
The term typically implies she handles parenting responsibilities alone, whether due to divorce, separation, widowhood, or choice: She's been a single mother since her husband left.
Single mother carries less stigma than it once did, though the phrase still sometimes appears in moralizing contexts about family structure.
Prioritizing others over oneself
- prioritizingOrdering by importance
- trade-offsSacrifices for gains
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
caregiving · nurturing · provision · unconditional love · foregoing · working overtime · juggling · sleepless nights
Suffering from difficult circumstances
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- isolationComplete separation from others
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
exhaustion · burnout · loneliness · poverty · barriers · childcare costs · affordability · housing
Collective of connected people
- childcareSupervision of young ones
- social servicesPublic aid programs
- alimonyCourt-ordered post-divorce payments
- child supportMandated parental financial contribution
co-parenting · grandparents · support groups · assistance programs · WIC · food stamps · subsidies · network
Power to exert force
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- courageFortitude facing danger
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
grit · tenacity · endurance · adaptability · resourcefulness · backbone · stamina · toughness
Independent decision-making capacity
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- sole providerSingle household income source
- head of householdFamily's chief decision-maker
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
breadwinner · self-reliance · freedom · agency · self-determination · solo parenting · financial independence · self-directed
selflessness
Prioritizing others over oneself
- prioritizingOrdering by importance
- trade-offsSacrifices for gains
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
devotion · caregiving · nurturing · provision · unconditional love · foregoing · working overtime · juggling · sleepless nights · financial strain
hardship
Suffering from difficult circumstances
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- isolationComplete separation from others
stress · exhaustion · burnout · loneliness · poverty · barriers · childcare costs · affordability · housing · welfare
community
Collective of connected people
- childcareSupervision of young ones
- social servicesPublic aid programs
- alimonyCourt-ordered post-divorce payments
child support · co-parenting · grandparents · support groups · assistance programs · WIC · food stamps · subsidies · network · friends
strength
Power to exert force
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- courageFortitude facing danger
fortitude · grit · tenacity · endurance · adaptability · resourcefulness · backbone · stamina · toughness · steadfastness
autonomy
Independent decision-making capacity
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- sole providerSingle household income source
- head of householdFamily's chief decision-maker
decision-making · breadwinner · self-reliance · freedom · agency · self-determination · solo parenting · financial independence · self-directed · standing alone
- single parentssolo parent, divorced parent, widowed parent
- Single Parentingsolo parent, custodial parent, sole custody, divorced parent, widowed parent
- Momsmom, mama, mommy, mummy, mamma
- parentsmom, dad, father, mama, papa
- motherhoodmom, mama, mum, mommy, motherhood
- family rolesfather, mom, dad, parents, mama