Unsung Heroines

February 20, 2006
Observing that single mothers embody the best American values—"courage, determination, commitment to others, and independence of spirit"—sociologist Sidel contends that "rather than being stigmatized, they should be celebrated and indeed applauded." Sidel's 50 subjects are diverse in age, class, race, ethnicity and marital status (including unmarried by departure, divorce or death). They recount the different paths that led them to single motherhood, their struggles to provide for their children, and their own feelings of loss (of income, self-esteem, emotional and social support, youth, etc.). They describe the steps they took to turn their lives around and recall the forces (people, institutions and faith) that aided and sometimes thwarted them. Sidel looks back at the different male and female responses "to intimate heterosexual relationships and to the enormous responsibility of caring for children" and forward to an agenda that would recognize that "the well-being of children and their families is the responsibility not only of the families themselves but of government at all levels and of civil society as well." Sidel's mothers tell individual tales, but the effect is cumulative, allowing the author to sound an alarm about the real needs of American families in all their varieties.

Starred review from April 15, 2006
By sharing the stories of 50 single mothers from all walks of life, this groundbreaking study shatters the negative stereotypes of and misconceptions about these -unsung heroines. - Giving voice to the people President Reagan dubbed -welfare queens, - Sidel (sociology, Hunter Coll., "Keeping Women and Children Last") shows that -rather than being a negative force in American society, millions of single mothers actually embody the finest American values: -& determination, commitment to others, and independence of spirit. - She picks up where Barbara Ehrenreich's "Nickel and Dimed" leaves off and writes of the many women who never intended to raise children alone and are struggling to make ends meet in a society that devalues the contribution of mothers and allows America's fathers to escape accountability and responsibility for their children. This work becomes a call for what all families need in order to succeed: decent jobs at a living wage, comprehensive healthcare, and adequate child care. It is an eye-opening education that should be required reading for every elected official and policymaker prior to enacting any welfare-reform legislation or reduction in social services. Highly recommended." - Wendy Wendt, Marshall-Lyon Cty. Lib, MN"

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.