Letter writer responds to single mother fracas

The Edmond Sun

EDMOND April 22, 2008 12:27 pm

— To the Editor:
Mothers who are divorced are not “single mothers,” they are divorced mothers. Widows are not “single mothers,” they are widowed mothers. Mothers who are living alone because their husbands have abandoned them are not “single mothers.” Single mothers are those who have children out of wedlock, thus single.
The reasons for living alone — abandonment, criminal activity, etc. — does not make them single mothers, they still are married. Mothers who have husbands working away from home — soldiers, sailors, marines, merchant seamen, contract workers out of country — are not single mothers.
Arise Ministries’ lack of correct usage of the term “single mother” was the reason for my indignant letter. If people and institutions were more careful of the language used, misunderstandings could be avoided and excuses denied to individuals wanting absolution for their own transgressions.
Perhaps “women raising children alone” would be a more descriptive and more acceptable title.

Robert Baker
Edmond