PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

Single mothers with lower income and education experience pressure both physically and mentally and they are exposed to stigmatization by society. The purpose of this article is to examine how the status of low income single mothers led to social inequalities and stigmatization in a community. Analysis was based on qualitative interview data from two focus group discussions. The findings revealed that the perceived social inequality by other people towards low income single mothers has led to stigmatization to this particular group. In addition the stigmatization was strengthened by the culture of society that subsequently labeled single mothers. With low income they were often ignored and treated differently. They received minimal opportunities financially or socially to improve themselves. The abrupt changes from being a married woman to a single mother brought a huge impact on their self-esteem and health. It is highly necessary for the society or the government to educate the society to change their attitude toward single mothers.