Bellenden Belle Wrote: don't know if I absolutely believe a child strictly needs two parents, but I agree it would be tough to go it alone and simply economically crippling. I have enormous admiration for those women who do become "choice parents" though Sorry,but can not agree at all here. I have no admiration whatsoever for someone who brings any child into this World with the clear disadvantage of Single Parenthood(which is NOT insurmountable)... Its like a child running a 100 yard race and starting 25 yards behind other children. Male children(for example) brought up in Single-Parent homes are much more likely to go off the rails when they become "Teens"-difficult for a Woman to control a strapping 6 foot lad of 16/16/17 on her own I should of thought,quite frankly. The boys,for example, attend Primary School with hardly any Male Role Models and direct Male Role Models living at Home either. This can not be a decent preparation for the role in life that he will play. Yes we know that:- 1/ All children from 2-Parent Families are not wonderful and some go astray. 2/ That children from One-Parent Families can(and DO) "make it", but its MUCH tougher. 3/ All 2-Parent Homes are not happy havens. A Single-Parent Woman has to perform the role of both Parents,knowing as much about acting as a Man as a Man does acting as a Woman. She is the SOLE provider of Parental income,emotional and practical Parental Support. Almost by definition she(unless she has a really decent income) will have to work long hours and be "cream crackered" half the time which can't be good for any parties involved but it is this question which I have NEVER heard satisfactorily answered b4:- Whatever marvellous attributes and talents and life skills a Woman posseses that IN ADDITION to that if the Man can offer and bring his Male perpective and equivalent Life Skills and experience to the table of Parenthood it HAS to be better for the child(ren) surely ?? A Man offering Emotional,Practical and Financial support IN ADDITION to what the Lady already possesses herself, must give the children a much better start and chance in life,imo. There are NO guarantees of success but,at least,the child is beng given the best possible start when he/she has 2 Parents, which is all we can do,surely.