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.

Madame Noire Video

  • Gavin

    I was a single mother when I married my current husband, but I would agree with the author. I would not want my son marrying a woman with a kid. I want him to have his own family. In my situation, my husband and I have already experienced our own families in our prior marriages and we want our kids to experiece that too. The woman financial standing does not weigh on this discision nor is the fact that she might be single as a result of a divorce.

  • Mia

    He just feels that way because he comes from a broken home and it messed up his mind. He obviously had an "awkard and unhealthy environment' as a child. #kickrocks

  • http://aneverendingchase.blogspot.com/ Neverendingchase

    Welllll…on the flipside, if you date a woman with kids, at least you know she's a woman**shrugs**

  • just saying

    He feels dating someone with kids is comparable to dating someone with baggage.Maybe if he literally had no balls he might be thinking differently.

  • Odetta

    i see things like this: have educated, pretty, single, childless friends and friends that are all the above with children, none are married! Both sides still date men that end up not being a match and both sides have lonely times too. I've had some relationships before i met my son's father and none ended in marriage. i say all this to say once again, whats for you will be regardless of your situation. just because you have a masters, own a home, drive your own flyy ride and think you are walking around here the object of Drake's Fancy song doesnt mean your man(if you have 1) is treating you any different than a man is treating a woman with kids. puhhhleaase..but u can believe that if you want too LMAO!!

  • pai

    If you are divorced, widowed etc. and have children, that's an entirely different situation.

  • pai

    Most men don't want ready made families, it's true ladies. Wait until you're married to start having babies, now that the old school way, and some things never change.

  • The Good Guy

    I for one agree with what the author is saying but I also know that it is only as good as you make it. In my younger years I dated nothing but single black women. And most of the relationships were bad, they wanted to party and club weekly while I prefered to chill with my woman. I never saw myself dating a girl with children until I first meet this one girl. After a one night stand we continued to talk, i knew she had children but,it was this relationship that made me choose better when talking to women with children. This girl was 21, three kids and no type of edcation whatsoever. She could barely keep a job and moved monthly from projects to projects. It wasn't until about after 2 weeks, the real problems started her baby dady, aka husband, was getting out of jail early, when I was told he was doing 20 years and he is out after 3 months. That didn't last and I called it quits just to much badgage . Then I meet this one girl that had one child and was 3 months away from finishing her Rn degree. She had herself together, she took care of herself and child and no baby daddy. We continued to talk and eventually turned into a relationship, I became a positive male figure for her daughter and it changed my view on marragie, and now it's been 6 months and she is now my wife. I treat her daughter like my daughter and we are lving a good life together. Every man want be as me, every woman want be like my wife, some women just have to many babies and some to many baby daddies, no real man with something to offer wants to take on that much baggae. But some of that can be determine by the age of the woman, how many kids, the baby daddy situation and education. Shouldn't no man want to take on a woman with a lot of kids and no education, McDonalds my pay good but when you add in 3 to 4 more mouths to feed monthly that check starts to look a little small.

  • MoneyNeverWaitedforM

    lol…The author is entitoled to his opinions…shesh…take the sticks out of your bums and relax

  • Ms. T

    The author is ignorant and immature….and so are a lot of you guys, smdh.

  • Xman116

    Bottom line the chick already started the family without you and it is YOUR choice to decide to make something with her or not. I love how women on here want to say don't judge me because I had a kid out of wedlock. Please no one cares that you did, its just we are not going to put ourselves in a situationa and have to deal with you and your baggage if we don't want to. Seems to me like a lot of women are just mad because their pickings are even slimer because they made poor choices and thus think they should still have the same options as a woman who is single with no children. Lastly a degree is not going to do anything for us either when it comes to you being a baby mama. The fact is you are a baby mama whether you make money or not. Alot of chicks really need to get off that crap of oh I have a degree and I make money……So…..You still have a kid that we may or may not want to deal with.

    Don't get me wrong, being a widow is different to an extent. However a baby mama is a baby mama nonetheless.

  • (SBF)single black fe

    Wow..first of all the article is from a young man who obviously has never been in love with someone which makes the author clueless to real life situations. Secondly, I am teaching my children(boys) not to get involved with a women who does not have here self together, this goes for any type of women, a divorcee, a baby mama, a strong independent, etc. If men were simply taught to step up and be just that then you would not have to worry about, baby mama's, strong willed women, and or divorcee. Men are so afraid that their little nest will be threatened by some worthless female who is simply out to retire on their fortune. Rightfully so, however, like the other respondant mentioned you can put every one in the same box. (SBF) By the way I am a widow, so where would you place me…exactly!!!!!! Don't judge a book by the cover people…

  • internalbeauty

    @Miracle ,

    the next time you want to quote Bible verses please include the ones that are against premarital sex. if you're going to use the Bible might as well use it in it's entirety, right?

    thanks.

  • Renee'

    He is generalizing. A woman could have had a relationship with a man and choose not to end her pregnancy. How does this make her lesser in his eyes. Sure I can relate to the potential problems. But look at that word..Potential.. He wants to be able to move freely. That is his choice. However before some men look over a Single Mom remember some of these women are more settled in a way many Single women are not. Depending on the type of woman she is she is more likely to be more family oriented. Cooking for her family, cleaning, knowing how to make a sacrifice or two, working hard, not quitting a job because of trivial office politics. A Single Mom who loves her children, loves her family can be an answered prayer to a man who has been PLAYED OVER. Now to be perfectly fair they're are situations where the woman is still attatched to the father, the kids dislike the new man, sponaiety factor..nill, and just in it for money. In those cases LOOK FOR ANOTHER. However do not generalize, do not belittle, do not feel as though Childless Single Women are better. Single or Single Mother's all have merit, and can GIVE LOVE. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.

  • Not Interested

    And by the way, black men commit to black women in relationships. The young lady who commented about her pregnancy and her child's father not committing to her is an idiot. Just because your WHITE friends are married at 25 means nothing. For starters, why are WHITE women married at 25? Maybe because they make MARRIAGE a priority and know how to treat their mates! Black women will claim they want to get married yet don't act like it. Black women claim to be the most loyal yet have the highest rates of divorce per race in the United States. The average 21-25 year old black woman is ill equipped to conduct a healthy marriage. To busy shaking and grinding in the nightclubs or laying on their backs.

  • Not Interested

    You women trip me out! Instead of simply taking this article for what it is: A gentleman's opinion of single mothers. You choose to come on here a boast about your so called accomplishments. If you were so successful you wouldn't have had a baby out of wedlock! So you can have all the academic DEGREES in the world. It still does not mask the fact that you are a BABY MOMMA and no man wants to date you or your annoying children! Comments on here like " I choose not to date at this time" really mean " No man wants to date me or my children". Ladies, and I use this term loosely, get real!

  • Odetta

    First, let me start by saying that everyone is entitled to their standard of dating. The author made very valid points. Even though I have a son and was not married but would like to one day I completely understand why a person wouldn’t want to date a person with children. I happen to be in a situation where it isn’t entirely stereotypical or what some may perceive as such. The father of my son and I do not hate each other and we do try to work together to make sure our son has a balance. I do not interfere with his relationships and when I am ready to have a serious one of my own he will not interfere with mine. I do feel that it is very important to be married b4 choosing to have a baby, that was my plan. I was 31 when I had my son, I waited, had never been pregnant. My goal was to wait but then I changed my mind and chose to have my beautiful boy. So all I can say is everyone has a right to their opinion. It’s ok. I have learned so much from my decision. I have learned to not have any more children out of wedlock and not for reasons that the author stated but because my children deserve to have bother parents in the home. I also have learned to prioritize my life and to not settle for anything. I’ve learned to love in a way that I never would have if it weren’t for this experience so at least I can proudly say it was not in vain. I have learned to take responsibility for my own actions and to not always blame the man. I just don’t think these learning experiences would have occurred if I hadn’t chosen to have my son. Or perhaps they would have but a lot later in life. I have also learned to be patient, what God has for me is for me and no one can take that from me. The author does not affect my life or future it is simply his opinion so anyone offended especially single mothers don’t even trip. What’s yours will be yours and no one can stop that but you.. Stay Blessed.

  • miracle

    Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment- John 7:24 ESV

    ALSO: Romans 2:3 ESV

    Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?

    I am a single mother not by choice- was betrayed and emotionally abused by a man who i believed truly cared and loved me for years- yes i made misktakes with him but i have learnt from them- if a man cannot repsect me as a woman and appreciate the good in me as i am today without that past then they do not have a place in my life. the same goes for any woman who refers to me as thus- i have been more than a woman in the whole situaiton and i ask for no applaud from the world- God knows who i am and when the right person comes along they will see me for who i am today not who i was or what i went through to become a mother out of wedlock-

    I do not refer to my daughter's father as a baby- daddy and i dont know if he calls me baby mama or not- i do not care as i do not surround myself with him or his associates, but i will not partake in that disrespect that the world upholds- ultimately it then disresepcts my daughter to label us with such titles that imply negatively-

    life is about choices- if a man chooses to not be with me cos of my daughter thats fine- someone out there will (or not) and that is fine- rather leave me alone than waste my time hurting me or playing with me- life is too short. at the end of the day all that matters is my daughter and me.

    God knows our hearts and sees what we do and why we do it.

  • Afowl

    I will say that you and others are entitles to your preferences. However, the derogatory connotation that you and other have placed on the term “baby mama” is in itself insulting. As a single educated mother blessed w/ twin boys who holds a Master’s degree, and owns her own 4-bd/2-1/2bath home w/ a pool, and is currently working on my PhD, with an income in the upper $80-thousand per year; it is a choice that I have made that dating right now is simply not something that I am interested in at this time. I find making sure that my son’s get to their karate, fencing, and tennis practice and tournaments on time is more important to me than whether or not a guy will or will not be interested in me because GOD saw fit to bless me with these two handsome, incorrigible, energetic and loving little beings. Yes, I was raised in a 2-parent household and I would be the first to say that my situation was not my first option; however, never in a million years would I say or allow anyone else to infer that my children were by any means a mistake. Those “ladies” and “gentlemen”, and I use these term loosely simply by the venom they are spewing, who have commented and had the audacity to try and belittle someone else who isn’t as “perfect” as them in not falling pregnant, to grow up and reeducate themselves because their lack of maturity, compassion, and faith is truly showing.

  • The Truth

    I can only respect the author's decision and I am so super happy that he knows what he wants before getting involved with someone. However, what he failed t realize is that he is not a "Baby Daddy" by the Grace of God. You see he stated, "I’ve spent a good majority of my adult life trying not to have a baby mama". This insist that he is sexually active before marriage and luck out of a 'mistake' only by the grace of God. People anytime you laid down with someone, regardless of birth control, you can become pregnant. In fact studies show that women are become pregnant more times than they think but the pregnancy terminates shortly after conception and is confused for a menstrual period. Again, so its by Grace you are not a "baby Daddy". In addition, as a woman I would know if I have ever been pregnant. A man could have a child by the 'wrong woman' and not even know of the child. Not to mention the men who are childless since having a couple of abortions. …… Again, I respect the man's preferences but know that you could be like me, I have a child and was on birth control, but its by God's Grace that you aren't a 'baby daddy' not by your will becuase you have premartial sex!