Talk:Guidelines for Raising Children: The Single Parent

By Vishal Agarwal

Raising children is a tough job, even more so when the parent is single due to separation from the married partner by death, divorce, or another unfortunate circumstance. One’s eligibility and worth are determined not by lineage but by innate character and fidelity to the truth.

Story: Satyakāma Jābāla

Satyakāma wanted to enroll in the prestigious school of Ṛṣi Gautama. When the Ṛṣi asked him for his father’s name, he went back to his mother Jābālā to find out. She said, “In my younger days, I gave birth to you. I really do not know who your father is. So tell the Ṛṣi that you are Satyakāma Jābāla.”

Satyakāma returned to Ṛṣi Gautama, and even at the risk of being turned away and ridiculed, he said, “I am Satyakāma Jābāla, the son of my mother Jābālā.” The Ṛṣi was pleased with him and said, “You have spoken the truth even at the risk of being ridiculed and turned away by me. Therefore, you cannot be anyone but a Brāhmaṇa – the son of a learned father.”

From Sāmaveda, Chāndogya Upaniṣad 4.4–9

Fortunately, the Hindu joint family system, and the close social and family ties in Hindu society, ensure that others provide help to the single parent (especially if he or she is a widower/widow) in raising their children. This help can be financial, educational, emotional, and social.