Since when did it become OK to be an unwed mother? When did the term "single parent" replace this social faux pas? When did we lose touch of the meaning of the word bastard?
These issues have been troubling me lately. I'm watching as our nation spirals in on itself with incompetence, ignorance, and simple stupidity.
From what I know of psychology, statistical data indicates that children who grow up in a home that has lost a parent, are more likely to have problems as they mature. Should the problems be with crime, drug abuse or alcohol; the odds are against the child.
I acknowledge that shit happens. Young girls, for any number of reasons, will have babies. Accidents do happen. They are unfortunate, but they happen.
Some accidents are more predictable than others. Traffic accidents are more likely in the winter than in summer. Milk will more likely spoil if left out of the refrigerator. Girls will be more likely to have a baby if they have sex without a condom.
We can drive our cars in the snow because if we are careful, we can be reasonably safe. If we leave the milk out, we only loose what's left in the jug. If we have sex without condoms, we might get to have a baby.
The trouble is, it isn't we anymore. It has become I. Why is this?
As recent as 50 years ago, when this sort of thing happened, there was a speedily planned wedding, the bride wore a slightly oversize gown and all was well. Only family members who were adept with arithmetic and intervals of nine months would have realized what had happened, and they would have kept the secret to themselves. Otherwise, the girl would 'go away' for a few weeks, and return empty handed. Presumably to leave the baby for adoption by an able couple.
For whatever reason, it has become acceptable to attempt to raise a child on ones own. Unless the mother is independently wealthy, I maintain this is an impossible feat. Babies cost money. Babies don't go with mom to work. Money comes from work, or "the village" as Mrs. Clinton candidly calls the welfare system.
So what is the result?
In one case, the child is raised assembly line style in a day care center by 'professionals' probably the better of the two evils. At least the kid sees that mom has to work for a living. In the other case, the child learns that money comes from the mailbox.