Rent vs. Healthy Child

"Milagros Reyes took her baby boy to the hospital for a hernia operation, but had to rush away a few hours after surgery to get back to work. Her 6-month-old son, bandaged and scared, was crying as she left, but she feared that a missed day might get her fired from her $7.79-an-hour factory job." (Dugger, 1992).

Government assistance can only take you so far, when you're a single mother, you have to work. But where is the line drawn between working and the well being of your child? Yes, the rent needs to be paid, food has to be on the table, and clothes need to be bought. But in all circumstances your child must come first. 

The fact that this woman felt she had to choose between her child’s health and her job is ridiculous. When it comes to children I believe employers need to be more understanding. What would of happened if this 6-month-old were to have passed away? Would the job still be as important to her as her child?

Though I understand things happen and sometimes women are left alone to care for their children you have to take into consideration that you knew what you were signing up for the moment you decided to keep the baby.

Their Wages Low, Single Mothers Get Little Help
By CELIA W. DUGGER
Published: March 31, 1992
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/31/nyregion/their-wages-low-single-mothers-get-little-help.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

Young Single Mothers

A stigma is a a negative stereotype associated with a lifestyle choice. One stigma in particular that is brought to my attention constantly is the assumption that young single mothers are fast and irresponsible. I am 21 years old with a 17 month old daughter and I have felt the judgmental eyes of disapproval staring me down every time I walk outside with my child. Men think I am easy or that I "get around" simply because I am a young single mother. Women look at me with disapproval as I walk down the street or in the mall pushing a stroller and make the assumption that I am not responsible enough to care for her just because I've only been alive 21 years.

 When you watch TV you don't see many shows displaying young mothers or single mothers, most series promote marriage or dating and if they do have children the parents are usually in their 30's or older. The only show I see displaying women like myself is, "Teen Mom" or "16 and Pregnant" on MTV. Though I know that these shows help young women like myself avoid the hardship of having to give their life up to be responsible for another, it also makes us feel hopeless and builds further on the stereotype that we cannot care for our children.

 I understand you should wait until you are ready, finish school, have a home, transportation, a good job, and preferably a partner you vowed to be with for life for the stability of your child, but life happens and there is nothing worse then being in a situation you cannot reverse while constantly being arbitrated by society.

I know I'm not going to wake up one day with a million dollar check in my mailbox, so I get up everyday go to school, do my homework, further my education and provide a good path for my daughter to follow one day. I'm not a young single mother who spends all her time in the club or out looking for a new man, I work hard to fight the stereotypes associated with my choice in keeping my child and refuse to ever let her or myself down.