Incarceration in the United States has a negative effect on the stability of families and households throughout the country; however, the group who is affected the most is single mothers. Being a single mother in the United States is a struggle on its own, and adding a factor such as incarceration of the father makes life ten times as hard. Single mothers who have the father as a functioning citizen of society are given many opportunities that these other women are not so fortunate to have. Cash flow and support are the two most beneficial aspects of a single mother’s life that help transcend her future endeavors. With a significant other locked behind bars a mother must not only take care of a child and herself, but now she must carry the burden of worrying about her income. Without steady income a single mother cannot provide fundamental needs to live, such as food, shelter, or even proper healthcare. A father who is not incarcerated is able to work and provide these necessary life functions for his family, which inevitably leads to a mother having more time to create opportunity for herself and her child or children. Support, which is the second necessary element for a single mother to prosper, is needed in all aspects of life. The support keeps the mothers spirit at an optimal level and it also provides a less stressful environment for the child to grow up in. However, if the father is incarcerated a mother must rely solely on herself and government programs just in order to get by. This is not a suitable lifestyle for a woman in the United States and the problem is constantly getting worse. As a male, we must work together and help keep one another on the right path and out of prison. Single mothers will benefit, future generations will be better off and most important, American society will be better.
By Brian Taylor
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