Single Mothers and Physical Activities

Running Head: Single Mothers and Physical Activities
Single Mothers and Physical Activities
Essay
System04104
4/21/2019

Single Mothers and Physical Activities
1
Part-I
(Why single mothers do not engage in physical activities in Australia?)
Parents play an important role in shaping the future of children. However, when they
separated with each other it directly affects the physical and mental health of children. There
are too many individual opinions about single mothers in Australia and they all think that the
role of a single mother in the development of children is a tough job. However, it has been
found that a large number of single mothers who involve in caring for her children and daily
routine works, do not spend much time in physical activities. A single mum is a woman or
mother who separated (on a temporary or permanent basis, because some people live away
from their family because of their job) from her husband. No matter how many or often she
gave birth or how many children she has. It has been seen that mothers spend almost their
100% time with their children; so they do not have time for their-self as well (Australian
Government, 2008). Therefore, it can be considered that how she can fit herself in physical
activities, continuing her jobs, or even her education. After being spending the whole day
with children, a single mum probably more tired but there are some other factors that can be
considered that why single mother do not engage in physical activities. The present essay will
discuss the role of a single mother and their disengagement in physical activities. In the
second part of the essay, the role of social capital has been discussed that how different group
of social capital can help the single mother to increase their participation in physical activities
in regards to unemployment, education, and gender (Kyle & Dunn, 2008).
A single mother is the result of various different events such as divorce from husband,
separation of cohabitating parents, to death of a partner, an adult child decide to move back
into the single parent’s house or birth of a child by single unmarried women. The transition to
motherhood is consistently associated with a decline in physical activity of single mothers
(Uphoff, Pickett, Cabieses, Small, & Wright, 2013). It has been seen that because of the busy
schedule and lots of work burden the single mother cannot spend time for herself. She cannot
join a job or continuing her education because she does not have time to spend on these
activities. Although the major concern of a single mother family is that, they are facing too
many financial problems because the mother cannot work outside (Damaske, Bratter, &
Frech, 2017). It has been observed that single-mother families have higher poverty rates than
other family and they experience greater economic insecurity. In the United States, it has

Single Mothers and Physical Activities
2
been observed those single mothers are less well off in a relative sense than single mothers in
other countries. The overreliance of the USA on income-tested programs is a major cause
behind this discrimination with single women. In the USA, single parents are facing too many
problems in regards to employment and education. Although these changes can be seen all
across the western country and it has been also spread in Asian countries as well. It has been
seen in the western countries that the percentage of children born outside marriage has been
tremendously increased over several decreases. In the United States, the status of a single
mother is too poor as they are not joining jobs and they should have to care about the children
(Letizia, Pasqua, & Agnese, 2017).
(Source: Lovasi, Hutson, Guerra, & Neckerman, 2009)
If we compare the Australian single mother with the USA, then we found that almost 20% or
about 1 child out of five is living with a single mother (World Health Organisation, 2011).
The busy schedule and poor financial condition of single mothers do not allow them to
participate in physical activities or doing even exercise. It has been seen that single mother is
not able to participate in jobs or even they cannot join any education centre that provides
them some knowledge about the physical activities (Marmot & Wilkinson, 2003). If we talk
about the single mom status in Asian countries like China and India, the single mother spends
the whole time behind their children. If we compare the situation of these countries and their
role as a single mother, then it can be said that Asian single mothers are more emotionally