Single parenthood has become more of a rule rather than an exception considering the increasing number of single parents today. The increasing number of young single mothers have become a serious concern for society considering that that the increased responsibilities would make it difficult for them to complete their education.
Single Mother Guide said that families of single parents in the United States consist mostly of single mothers. The US Census Bureau said over 80% of the 12 million families made up of single parents in the United States are composed of single mothers. Around 17.4 million children today are being raised only by their moms and without their fathers. Nearly half of these single parent families live below the poverty level.
Aside from being single parents, these women are also college students and are raising their children single-handedly while trying to get an education. Completing a college education is hard as it is but KTOO Public Media said these single mothers have to face twice the challenge because they are also rearing their children. They are getting some help though from the Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pa in terms of its program for Single Parent Scholars which now has 15 students under the program.
NPR said there are other educational institutions that have started their own scholarship programs for single mothers. Eastern Kentucky University has started construction of an apartment worth $10 million, intended for single parents. The single mothers program of the Wilson College has however existed for the past 20 years now.
Former Wilson College president Gwendolyn Jensen and present Executive Director Sylvia Fields started the idea which has now succeeded in making a difference in the lives of single mothers, some of whom have graduated and made their lives better. More than the scholarships and loan programs for single mothers, it is the provision on child care which mattered most for these single mothers.
