While considering a plea filed by a reunited couple to get back their son who was earlier given up by the way of adoption, the Kerala High Court observed that “If a woman feels she is nothing without the support of a man, that is the failure of the system”.
While reviewing the petition the court observed that Anitha (the mother) gave away the child for adoption who was willing to keep the child with her as a single mother just because of the present system regarding the ‘Single Mother’ in the society.
The court in its observation remarked that "The anomie Anitha had to face as a single mother is the hurdle created by the society. Anitha never attempted to exterminate her womb, she bore the pain to give birth; like every mother, she loved to care the child. "
Court also said that Anitha was willing to bear the child but was not allowed by circumstances in the Society, She thought without support of a man, she cannot survive.
The court highlighted that women like Anitha are made to feel that they cannot survive without a man and that it is impossible to raise a child without a father. In this context, the court observed that "If a woman feels she is nothing without the support of the man that is the failure of the system."
The Court has now called upon the State to develop systems to aid single mothers like Anitha. In this regard, the court said that "It is for the State to make her realize that her struggle with the forces undermining her existence can be validated with the support of rule of law. That self-belief must be her identity and respect due to her,".