Celebrating the unsung heroes: Incredible strength of single mothers

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Single mothers are the real heroes who embody strength, resilience and unwavering dedication to their families.

Despite facing countless challenges, these women selflessly prioritise the well-being of their children above all else. From working long hours to managing finances and household duties, single mothers juggle a never-ending list of responsibilities with grace and determination. Their sacrifices often go unnoticed, but their unwavering love and devotion inspire us all.

This Mother’s Day, it is time to recognise and celebrate the incredible strength of single mothers everywhere, who truly are the unsung heroes of our society. Here are the stories of a few single mothers who have been through so much for their children D Vijalakshmi's story is a testament to the incredible strength and resilience of single mothers.

After the loss of her husband, she was faced with the daunting task of raising two children on her own. One of the biggest societal problems faced by Vijalakshmi was financial instability. Raising two children on a single income was extremely challenging for her. Despite the challenges she faced, she refused to give up and continued to work tirelessly to provide for her family.

However, she was not met with the support and encouragement she needed from the society and her relatives. Instead, she was constantly faced with criticism and character assassination from those around her. This is a sad reality for many single mothers who often struggle with societal stigmas and a lack of understanding from others.

Despite this, Vijalakshmi persevered and is now the proud mother of two successful college graduates. Her story is a reminder that with determination and hard work, anything is possible, and society needs to do more to support and empower single mothers who face immense challenges in raising their children on their own. It is also true that while single mothers are a common sight, there are relatively fewer single fathers in our society.

One reason for this is that traditionally, women have been seen as the primary caregivers and homemakers, while men have been expected to be the breadwinners. There may be social stigmas or cultural expectations that discourage men from taking on the role of a single parent. Another single mother of two children, one in Class 1 and one in Class 3 shares her distress in raising two children with a single income.

As a housekeeper and the sole provider for her family, Sharmila works tirelessly every day to make ends meet and ensure that her two sons receive the education they deserve. However, the road has not been easy for her. With no support from relatives, she had to navigate the harsh realities of the world alone, taking usury interest from loan sharks to make ends meet.

One of the biggest challenges she faces is having to leave her children at home alone while she goes to work. This is a difficult and heart-wrenching decision that many single mothers are forced to make, and it highlights the need for greater support and resources to help single mothers juggle their caregiving and financial responsibilities.

Despite the challenges she faces, Sharmila remains persistent in her goal to provide her children with a bright future through education. On this Mother’s Day, she advises all single mothers not to give up on their children. She says, “We brought them into this world and it is important to take responsibility for them.”