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Hope for Single Mothers

© Mindie Verplank

The following is the twenty-seventh in a series of essays written in response to the media analysis assignment described in the January 28, 2000 article on this topic page. Colorado State University student Mindie Verplank describes how Jesse "reassures single mothers by portraying hope and success."

Hope for Single Mothers by Mindie Verplank

Since 1970, the number of children living in a single parent family has doubled. In fact, statistics from 1992 indicate that single parent families represent 30% of U.S. households, while 25% represent two-parent households. Based on current trends, there are predictions that upwards of 70% of children born since 1980 will spend some time living in a single parent home before their 18th birthday. Despite the increase in the proportion of single parents who are male, single mothers still outnumber single fathers by a nearly 5:1 ratio.

Most of us already know that there is an increase in the number of single parent families, especially single mother families. But what a lot of people don't know is that a lot of single mothers are becoming more and more successful at raising a child alone.

A relatively recent television series called Jesse reassures single mothers by portraying hope and success through the main character, Jesse. Jesse got pregnant in high school and then got married. It wasn't long until she was divorced and alone to raise her son. The father doesn't play a major part in the show.

Jesse works hard to support herself and her son. She finishes high school and then goes on to nursing school. This show is a good influence on single mothers. It reassures them that it is possible to raise a family on their own and that they can do it successfully.

The show also does a good job of not making it seem easy to raise a family with only one parent involved. It shows that although success is possible, it doesn't come easy.

When I was in high school I remember walking through the halls and seeing at least three or four girls that were pregnant. I knew a couple of the girls because I had met them in junior high school. Both of these girls decided to keep their babies and take on the challenge of raising a child alone. Today both of them have successfully completed high school and are now working on their associate degrees. They are also working full time and maintaining a healthy life for themselves as well as for their children.

The copyright of the article Hope for Single Mothers in Media Literacy is owned by Mindie Verplank. Permission to republish Hope for Single Mothers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.