Young single mothers : are they a burden to society?

Abstract

"Young Single Mothers: Are they a burden to society?" is a research study, which aims at uncovering the following aspects: 1. The problems which unmarried mothers face in everyday life ; 2. Whether they are alienated or not ; 3. To analyse whether young single mothers are a burden to society. The methodology for this study will follow the design and analysis of a questionnaire, administered personally to ten young unmarried mothers aged 16 to 24. The analysis of the semi-structured questionnaire will examine the three main criteria mentioned above. In order to achieve such aims, the methodology follows a qualitative nature. This dissertation focuses only on young unmarried mothers; thus excluding the widowed, separated and divorced. Findings show that most of the respondents are economically dependent on their family of origin and some are also dependent on the social services provide by the Ministry for Social Policy. However most of the unmarried mothers need both sources of income. Most of the informants have a low level of education and those who work earn a low salary. The highest remuneration amounts to LM5000 yearly. The results also show that single mothers who live on their own are at risk of poverty. This is because the governmental funds are not sufficient for both the mother and her child or children. Those who live on their own are also in need of material resources. Moreover single mothers mostly are in need of social and psychological support. Young mothers who are constantly challenged in raising their child on their own are in great need of solidarity.