10 Stories of Single Mothers

Written by Chantelle Campbell



This video looks at the stories of ten single mothers in Australia talking about how the benefit cuts that came into effect at the beginning of this year have affected the lives of their families. Since the cuts, benefits in Australia have come roughly into line with the benefits that sole parents receive in New Zealand. I believe that most single parents in New Zealand will be able to resonate with these stories. Society degrades single parents, and the negative views start from the top at governmental level and are fed to society through the media. The degrading views of single parents needs to stop, our jobs are tough enough without society frowning upon us. Single parent families are amazing, strong, and resilient, all while carrying a huge burden on our shoulders. Single parents are NOT lazy, drug addicted, alcoholic low life bludgers! Those who view us as such need to walk a week in our shoes, and learn to understand just how amazing we actually are.