Dating as a single mom: Why a series of relationships could be good for your family.
SlateFour years ago, I packed my Jeep with baby implements, bundled up my 11-week-old, said goodbye to my dogs, and left my husband in the middle of the night. I now believe that single moms who date men should embrace the “revolving door” mentality, balking single-mom stereotypes and welcoming the benefits that dating freely can bring to their family. Single moms like me don’t need research to tell us that these biases exist, and we anticipate similar sentiments from friends, family, and co-workers when entering the dating scene. To be sure, criticism of single moms who adopt a revolving-door mentality often references not just the number of dating partners but the number of partners a single mom introduces to her child. Their increased likeliness of finding a new partner is often called the “good father effect,” wherein potential partners see custodial dads as more attractive because of their commitment to family, whereas managing family life does not reap similar dating benefits for single moms.
History of this topic
Single dads – a love magnet? No way. The only perk is sharing the cost of a babysitter
The Independent
What being a single mom is like: Risks, benefits, and pitfalls of parenting alone.
Slate
Opinion: Single mothers like me are easy scapegoats. But the case for marriage is a myth
LA Times
Mother’s Day: How kids help moms balance dating, motherhood
Live MintWriter pens a guide on single parenthood in India
The HinduDiscover Related
