Reply #81: These things are not mutually exclusive [View All]

[liberalpragmatist]

Your situation appears to have been fine. But government policy has to look at general situations. Too often, single-parent households ARE unstable and economically insecure. That is not healthy for a child's development.

I'm sure you did a great job raising your children. I know many children of single parents - usually mothers - who have raised perfectly wonderful children. But unfortunately, that's not always the case. Too often, single-parent households ARE left insecure and unstable. Of course we need a higher minimum-wage and a stronger safety net, but the government can't solve every problem and we should discourage unwanted pregnancies and single parenthood among people who can't afford it. Otherwise, we aren't going to make a serious dent in poverty.

And if that makes me some sort of right-winger, so be it. Obviously, there are exceptions, but you can't seriously claim that all children raised in single-parent households are fine. Unless they're economically secure, too many single-parent households are NOT fine.