Is the government doing enough to help single mothers? This group of people in our society is often neglected, but of late, a few state governments have embarked on special schemes to help them become independent-income earners and in the process give some hope to the unfortunate families to stay away from abject poverty. This is a laudable move.

What are the impacts of being a poor, single mother? The anguish can be on their psychological state, unemployment status, income level, poverty and on child-rearing. With low educational achievement - upon divorce or on the death of spouse – they find themselves without a job or doing low-paying jobs.

They have to put in great effort trying to be economically self-reliant and independent women. Most, however, have been found to rely on their parents or relatives to sustain their livelihood.

Studies have shown that poor single mothers are more likely than married women to experience psychological problems. The feeling of hopelessness often overwhelms their psyche resulting in ineffectual parenting practices. Guilt, anger, depression and loneliness are the psychological impacts on single mothers and this can affect the upbringing of their children.

Over 90 per cent of single mothers in rural areas and in some urban pockets are generally economically disadvantaged. They earn less and are often browbeaten due to values, attitudes and practices inherited by the society.

Studies have revealed that problems faced by their children, such as their behavioral problems and their study ability are positively correlated with their mothers’ socio-economic status and their psychological symptoms.

It can be seen among the many children in schools who belong to this unfortunate group. Despite being counselled, the majority grow up with a low self-esteem. However, there are a minority of them who would put up a strong facade to convince others that they can carry on even without financial and emotional support from their father.

Some, despite trying hard to conceal their sorrow, succumb after observing their mothers struggling to make ends meet. Those who have succumbed to the circumstances are also found to be involved in delinquencies – an act of expressive diversion when faced with grievances.

This is quite obvious among the affected children in schools, but they tend to adjust to their aversion when they leave behind them their teenage years.

Some children are found to appreciate their mother more when they see the hardship that they face as a single mother. The absence of a father figure in the home does not necessarily lead to unhappiness or juvenile delinquency.

Statistics of juvenile behaviour have shown that unhappiness and delinquents are also shaped in double-parent families where violence is the norm. It is poverty, however, that causes the reverse to happen in single parenting.

Prejudice aside, these mothers have to be helped. Women can always be at a disadvantage when there is disparity based on gender. In most likelihood, when there is a divorce, children tend to stick with the mother rather than the father. There is this natural emotional bond between children and mothers, even if the mother is poor and do not have the means to raise the children.

When this happens, and family life cannot be adequately sustained, some children will grow up with a low self-esteem, deprived of proper nutrients and also end up becoming children who are not well-adjusted in society.

In a similar vein to other fortunate parents, single mothers have a duty to help raise healthy and well-adjusted children. We are fortunate that - unlike in some countries - the government has not ignored these unfortunate single mothers.

More, though, can be done by society to ensure their confidence and the development of their children’s self-esteem and upbringing.

In reality, the efforts made by the government are commendable. At the state level, some governments have embarked on special programmes to help single mothers go into small businesses and many are given jobs and shelter.

This should be emulated by all state governments. Besides monetary support and savings, another sensible move would be to have these poor single mothers have some form of health and life protection through designated insurance policies aided by the government at minimal cost.

This would assure them a secure livelihood during adverse times, as the children can be affected most when the mother passes on or becomes debilitated.