Being a single mother can be stressful, especially when there is only one income coming in. I work part-time, two days a week and I have no support from the government. Kesha Clarke

Many single black mothers face daily struggles but despite their efforts feel that they are looked down upon by the rest of society.

Colourful has heard how some single black mothers feel they are living in a society full of prejudice. Sylvia Brae aged 45 is a single mother living in South London with her two children aged seven and 22. But even though she is a successful hairdresser, she has had to work extremely hard to get where she is today.

“I became a single mother at 24 with no support from the father. Even though I had the support from my mother and friends, once my mother died a few years later, I was 28 years old with a four year old child and all on my own. Life has been extremely hard but I love my children and don’t consider them a burden,” She told Colourful.

According to Brae, her struggles have not been helped by the negative attitudes that she has had encountered, some of which has been by elder members of the black community who still regard having a child out of wedlock was as a shameful and disrespectful: “Stigma from older people and married couples is something displayed against young single mothers especially black single mothers,” she explained.

According to Census data, African Caribbean households have the highest percentage of single parents. Forty eight per cent of African Caribbean families and 36 per cent of African families have one parent. Almost half of African Caribbean’s within the UK are single parents. This begs the question why are there so many single black mothers in today’s society?

Chantelle Gosling, a Lone Parent Personal Careers Advisor for Reed in Partnership has her own opinion on this. She told Colourful: “A lot of young black girls are raised in single homes where history repeats itself. The fact is that being a single black mother is acceptable within the black community. It is more acceptable for you to have a baby at 18 years old in comparison to getting married at 18.”

Despite the high numbers of lone parents within the black community, many still achieve success, despite the obvious difficulties they face. But many single black mothers feel that they are rarely praised for their achievements but instead are looked down on by the rest of society. Brae told Colourful: “There is more stigma towards black single mothers than white single mothers as society views us as a burden on society and still classes us as foreigners.”

Juggling a job with studies is one of the biggest challenges

It is sometimes hard having to wake up early to take my child to my mum’s before I start university and then having to collect him in the evening and do my assignments. Emma Browne

Such negative attitudes and hostilities seem to act as a motivator for many single mothers to prove society wrong. Emma Browne aged 22 from North London is one such person: “Being pregnant at 20 was a scary feeling as I felt that I was all alone as my parents were not as supportive during the beginning of my pregnancy. However, once they accepted my situation I was given the utmost support from my family and friends. This support is what helped me through some extremely rough times as a new mother, especially a single mother,” she explained.

According to Browne, one of the greatest challenges she has faced as a single mother is trying to juggle her studies with raising a child, which often leaves her with no time for anything else: “It is sometimes hard having to wake up early to take my child to my mum’s before I start university and then having to collect him in the evening and do my assignments. As I am studying it makes it difficult to do activities with my son as I go to university in the week and work on the weekends.”

Another single mother who understands the struggles of being a lone parent is Keisha Clarke aged 23 from East London. She told Colourful that even though she was okay with being a single mother at 18 things have been tough: “Being a single mother can be stressful, especially when there is only one income coming in. I work part-time, two days a week and I have no support from the government. I have to pay full rent as I earn too much, which means I have to fight to provide the best for my child.”

Despite the negative attitudes towards lone parents, who are often seen as a strain on resources, it is clear that many single black mothers are hard-working members of society, who do not rely on benefits but are willing to hold down more than one job and even make tremendous sacrifices to make it to university. Clarke had this advice for other young black women who may find themselves having to raise a child alone:

“Stay strong and know that you can achieve anything you put your mind to, but most of all don’t be afraid to be a single mother, if he’s no good don’t stay with him for the wrong reasons just keep your head high and keep on going as there is no shame being a single parent.”