The Culture Regarding Single Moms

            As a soon-to-be mother, I can't imagine raising a baby on my own without the support of my community. It is not lost on me that this is a reality for many. Before my mom met my dad, she was a single mom of two kids. Her life was chaotic, but during this time of single parenting, there were resources readily available for her. Plus, she was within a culture that does not entirely ostracize single mothers. Now, this cannot be generalized. As we have learned in class, one’s core values and beliefs are developed over time and during critical life events. Not all people are accepting of single moms, but overall, in the States, there are resources for single moms and their kids.

On our first official tour, Nyemá emphasized the freedom women have and the progress the King’s wife, Salma Bennani, has made, specifically noting single moms. While researching, I found a dissertation written by Lucilla Valentina Berwick, who completed this research to deconstruct the stigma of single moms in Morocco. Hicham, a social worker in Morocco, shared that “Here in Morocco, the way society sees single mothers is as if they committed a crime. People don’t accept it. They see single mothers or relationships out of wedlock the way you (in Europe) see terrorism- something that is too bad. And society will never forgive them” (Pg.14). From her interviews, Berwick found that single moms are the most socially despised and marginalized people in Morocco. 

A few things to consider regarding single moms in Morocco: 

·      Single moms embody failure and threaten the balance of society 

·      Women fear bringing dishonor not only to themselves but their families, and for some, their villages

·      May women get secret abortions or try home remedies that lead to death

·      Lineage is the backbone of Muslim societies. Lineage (nasab) is established when there is kinship and marriage. Specifically, lineage is passed down through females via marriage and through men via blood. 

·      Single moms disrupt social cohesion and break lineage 

INSAF, Morocco’s National Institute for Solidarity with Women in Distress, over twenty years has supported 10,000 single mothers. They work to restore women's confidence, dignity, and identity. They instill hope and provide tangible resources consistently for two years. Policy change and support from organizations like INSAF and Salma Bennani can change the culture surrounding single moms. 

 

Berwick, L. V. (2017). Single mothers in Morocco: Social stigma and struggle for identity [Master’s dissertation, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London]. Moroccan Children’s Trust. https://moroccanchildrenstrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Berwick-2017-Single-Mothers-in-Morocco-Social-Stigma-and-Struggle-for-Identity.pdf

Jihad-Dardar. (2021, January 6). Morocco’s INSAF supports 10,000 single mothers in 20 years of existence. Morocco World News. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/01/63152/moroccos-insaf-supports-10000-single-mothers-in-20-years-of-existence/