How Black Men View Baby Mamas

June 15th, 2010 - By admin

Anslem “NWSO” Samuel’s Naked With Socks On is an award-winning relationship blog. Each week, NWSO will share his candid thoughts on women, love, life and all the fun stuff in between with MadameNoire.

I’ve spent a good majority of my adult life trying not to have a baby mama. Not because I don’t want children, I just don’t want children with a woman that’s not my wife. See, when you do the wife and kids thing, that’s generally something planned and thought out. Even if it’s not, you’re married so having kids isn’t really that big of a deal because it’s expected at some point.

A baby mama, however, is a whole other ball game. Just look at the term itself. It’s detached and impersonal. She’s not called my wife, my girlfriend, or even my lover, but my baby’s mama. That doesn’t denote a loving connection but a relationship of circumstance. Generally, this is just a woman that happened to get pregnant and if not for the child y’all probably wouldn’t have any further contact after the relationship went south. Even if y’all are together, the fact a man would refer to you as his baby mama as opposed to his wife/girl shows that there isn’t much hope for the relationship evolving beyond two people that happen to share a child.

Now, as a single man with no kids, I’m in no rush to get involved with someone else’s baby mama. That’s not to say I’d never date a single mother but she definitely wouldn’t be my first choice. Getting to know someone is hard enough, but trying to do that around a mother’s 24/7 schedule can be downright impossible. Single folk like myself can just pick up and go out on a whim, while parents have to work around less flexible babysitting schedules. Since I have no kids I’m selfish and just not ready for that kind of situation.

Dating someone with a kid(s) is a package deal. When you go out with a single mom you’re not just dating her but her kids (and her crazy baby daddy). The last thing I’d want to do is get attached to a kid — and vice versa — only to have the relationship with his or her mother not pan out. The mom would understand why I wasn’t in the picture anymore, but depending on the age of her child, he or she may not. My father was never really around so I’d never want to be just some dude that came in and out of a kid’s life. It’s not fair to the innocent child.

Another factor to consider is the idea of jumping into a situation where there’s a built in family in place. This ain’t the Brady Bunch and I’d much rather have my own instead of playing daddy to the next man’s kids. Speaking of which, the only thing worse than the haphazard dating schedule of a single mom is the potentially intrusive baby daddy. Exes can be very possessive and that’s especially true if there’s a kid involved. I don’t need that headache and aggravation, so jealous baby daddy’s that will always be attached to the woman I’m seeing because of their kid is a major turn-off.

Overall, the idea of a baby mama just doesn’t work for me — be it my own or someone else’s. In the event that I got the wrong woman pregnant, I see it making for an awkward and unhealthy environment for my child. I’d much rather have a stable family structure with my wife than a faux family. And in terms of dating a woman with kids, there’s a possibility things could work out given the right circumstances, but truthfully I’d rather date someone with less baggage.

For more on NWSO’s relationship advice and bare-naked truth, as well as his popular weekly erotica series, Wet Wednesdays, be sure to check his daily blog, Naked With Socks On, here.

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  • Clarkekent3000

    one man does not a consensus make!

  • aleximaq

    The writer of this article is obviously small minded and thinks he has some clue as to what God has planned out for his life. It cracks me up when young African Americans (not Blacks) have come so far from everything that they feel as though they don't have to deal with certain things. Pretty soon this young man will realize that dating a woman with no kids is going to bring about as much drama as dating a woman with kids. Just different types of crap. I have a 12 year old son. I have been raising him alone since he was born. He has been in the same room with his "father" about 5 or 6 times in his life and one of those times was so we could all get the genetic testing done. So, I have never had to walk around with the moniker "baby mama". Just mom. I will admit that I don't like to date men that don't have children because of this very reason. This man writing this article must not be aware of things like divorce or death that can lead he himself to being a single father "with baggage" one day. I just think this is one of the reasons we as Black men and women are having such a hard time in relationships and that right before out eyes, the Black family is disappearing……

  • SigBat

    @anita

    So how is your dating life now?

  • anita

    I'm a (GASP) unwed mother and I'm very comfortable with that. I have no desire or inclination to marry my father's daughter, and that works fine for us.

    While I appreciate the author's honesty, he need to remember that he, being a single black man with no children is a rarity.

    I was in my late 30s by the time I had my daughter and most of the men I met had children, so I have no worries about the majority of men sharing the author's sentiments, especially since they are single parents themselves.

  • SigBat

    @Ayoka

    To take it to the reverse level I remember when I was a lot poorer. I never approached my love life with the attitude "I think all attractive women should date me despite the fact I am poor." I understood I was missing some of the desireable qualities of a partner. I wasn't happy being poor and knew I had to do something about it or accept the partner choices that I did have. During that time I did things that I thought would make me more appealing despite not having a lot of money. To this day, a skill that I still have despite now having more money is that I am great at giving massages. I might have developed that skill no matter what but it was important to have to make up for not being wealthy at the time. It is like anything else you do if you are not model-handsome, or have a huge package, or whatever appeals to women.

    Nobody felt sorry for me and said "oh poor baby…those girls should date you despite your impovershment". Why should we be saying that for these single mothers? They have what they wanted….the child(ren). I do NOT feel sorry for them. And incidentally I am sure plenty of those women DO try to make up for their inability to have flexibility in dating by developing other appealing characteristics. That's just what life is about.

  • Ron Ron

    Who needs baby mama drama???? So many men who get with a baby mama and help raise her kid(s) are eventually told "you ain't my daddy!!!". I too am free and single with no kids and boy am I loving it!!!

  • sholla21

    I agree with NWSO. I don't bring that kind of baggage in a relationship.

    I see no reason why I would have to deal with the consequences of someone else's choices.

    Those who think people who won't date single parents are missing out on something are wrong.

    Everyone's intitled to their preferences. And for some of us, a person who's shackled to an ex girlfriend and raising a child that's not ours is simply not a desirable mate.

    It is what it is.

  • http://www.nwso.net NWSO

    @Ayoka

    If that were to happen I would have no other option but to accept it. And why not, I clearly understand the concept. lol.

    I'm someone that doesn't ask from others what I don't expect from myself.

  • Ayoka

    Like the blog, totally comprehend the idea of "single" freedom and wanting to have a relationship started on your terms–not another man's previous terms. Question for you though, if you had a kid out of wedlock with one of the fancy free single gals you prefer and she decided not to marry you, would you want to be passed oover by all the cute single women as relationship material because you now come with "baggage"? Just a thought.

  • Mimi

    I think when there is a headline that reads "How Black Men View Baby Mamas", there is going to be some feathers that are ruffled. But, i am going to chalk it up to being one of those headlines that is suppose to lure in the readers.

    I always hated the term "baby mamas" or "baby daddy" and I am not even a mother.

    I guess I am the lone member of "single and child-less who could date a single father" club. I am firm believer in "never say never" so when it comes to dating men, I prefer to keep my options open. The only thing I won't accept from a single father is lack of responsibility.

  • SigBat

    @Wow

    Well, as a guy who HAS paid for 3 abortions I can tell you I was grateful that each and every one of them could and did happen.

    Although, I may not agree with the author 100%, I understand his perspective.

    I suppose one thing he is saying is that it is hard enough finding a good "soul mate" match amongst the childless women out there….it is just that much harder if she has the additional responsibilities to attend too. NOT saying it's impossible. Just harder.

    And while on the subject of finding the right woman, if women who make good decisions is important to you then a single motherhood COULD be an indicator right off the bat that MAYBE she doesn't make the best decisions. I am not saying that is the situation every time, but my experience is that you do begin to see patterns.

    I do NOT want to slam single mothers. But these ARE things that people maybe do think about. I mean if you are already a single mother everyone knows there is nothing you can do about that fact now. It is however a reality.

    I don't like to judge ANYONE too fast, and so if a woman has children (no matter how many) and she is actually a good mother than that is actually VERY attractive. But if a person is a bad parent

    (married or unmarried) it is one of the ugliest things in the world.

    So, as a single black man, if someone suggests to me that I should date a particular unmarried mother I will look at her individually but also in the context of her kids. I don't think any man does any differently…not even the author of this article. If it is an ideal situation then it will be an instant "go"…if not then a man has to weigh the ups and downs…just as a woman in the reverse situation would. Even a man who says he would NEVER date a "baby mama" would actually turn down a woman who he considers his "Miss Perfect" if the only imperfection was children. That would be crazy.

  • Nancy

    I only issue with people who don't date single parents is think of any/everytime you may have had unprotected sex.

    yourself rightousness is silly at best. I only date men with children. I find that only having to think and care for yourself makes you selfish and the older you get the more rigid you become in your selfishness. Good luck with your preferences.

  • Kool

    @NWSO – You are too cute! And something told me that you responded!!!

    I just wanted you to make more valid points thats all it was soooo much bashing on single parenting and all geared towards women the ones who hold it all down!!!

    Now I'm sure Madame Noire didn't tell you "how" to express your opinion and dont get testy sweety, ofcourse I KNOW that I can listen or not listen; read or not read and I chose to READ! And I did take it personal because it IS personal for me and for soooo many of my single sister/mother's out here that are busting our asses and running cirlces around most men only to hear that there's stigmas that say we are full of drama and "hard(er)" to deal with than a woman who is not a mother?

    Do more research before you write next time and yes Luv – LOVE IS LOVE!!!!

    Peace Brother

    Sincerely,

    A Master Debater

  • http://www.nwso.net NWSO

    @Kool

    The whole anti-babay mama term acceptance stance was actually saying exactly what you are saying in regards to your point of "We need FAmily structures in our Black Community’s not necessarily couples." Is not a marriage, well good ones, a family structure? That's what I was arguing for,

    And for the record this is an op-ed piece, which means opinion-based. This is my opinion on the subject that MadameNoire asked for. And I never subscribe to the belief that I am some expert, I am merely a man with an opinion—you can either listen to it or not, and that's everyone's right to have an opinion and express their thoughts.

    I appreciate your feedback.

    And, while not everyone chooses to be a babay mama/daddy, let's not act like there are not people that do. They exist and they are the ones that need to hear things like this. If it don't apply to you, why take it so personal. If you wrote an article that said Black Men are Dumb, I wouldn't be upset because I know I don't fit, but if you said NWSO is A Damn Fool & I Hate Him, it may raise my eyebrow more. LOL.

    But love is love… Enjoy your weekend

  • Kool

    In the last sentence meant to say ; THE ONE YOU SHARE

  • MzFortune

    I completely understand your point of view. Becoming involved with someone that already has a child is a big decision because like you stated you are not just dating the mom you are also dating the child. One thing you never want to happen is that you become attached to the child but you and its mother decide to terminate the relation, which most times has a real impact on the child. It is also not a good environment for baby mama's to bring an entire parade of different men in front of the child. In the long run it will shape that child character and outlook on life and people.

    I think you are making a good LONG term decision by not dating someone with a child. You don't have any children so why should you take on the responsibility attached with dating someone with a child? If you wanted to raise a child I am sure you would have had your own.

    Some women made rash decisions by becoming pregnant for a man that was never their husband or even their boyfriend, but they feel they should not be taken out of the dating pool for that, which I don't think they should either, but I don't think they should believe that a single, childless, successful man would make them first choice as oppose to a woman he can spend a lot of time with, without the distraction of a child or the drama of a crazy baby daddy.

  • CM

    I am now a divorced single mother of an 8yr old. & I completely understand the writers point of view. Now that I have divorced I have decided that I would rather date someone who doesn’t have kids. Or if they do I need for them to be a co parent & there child’s parent to either be married to someone else or at least be engaged. therefore I don’t have 2 deal w/the baby mama aspect. Bcuz unless the other parent is seriously involved w/someone else there is definitely going to be problems & I definitely don’t need the headache. Bcuz I definitely don’ have ‘baby daddy issues’ & I refuse to deal with anyone elses.

  • Mango

    The truth is bitter as they say, and that is the reason many single mothers here are not very receptive to his opinion. I’m a single man with no kids, and I TOTALLY agree with his view on wanting to marry a woman with no kid(s). I would rather stay away from women with kids. But that’s just me. I’m sure there are men out there that will be more accepting of baby mamas

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  • professionalblkwoman

    I agree completely with the original post. Our community has become too comfortable with the notion of not establishing families and jusy having kids. Mediocrity has become acceptable because so many people have begun having kids out of wedlock. I for one have intentionally not had children because I am not married. I would be so embaressed walking around pregnant with no husband. It really is a matter of respect. It says a man didn't respect (or love) you enough to make you his wife. It may not sound "nice," but we really have to start doing better and stop settling for mediocrity.