Well, if single parents had the time to pay attention to what was going on in their children's lives and be there to supervise them, it would help a great deal.

I don't believe in punishing single parents, but I do believe we'd all be better off if society (in terms of economics, social programs and "values") was more geared towards supporting couples and extended families to help them raise responsible children. Subsidized child care should be available to help families in crisis. Period.

Also, sometimes when we focus on the childcare issue (who pays so that parents can work outside the home?) we forget that teens who are getting pregnant aren't directly touched by this issue.

I am fortunate to be able to work only one (1) very flexible full-time job while keeping tabs on two teenagers. Many, many parents are not so fortunate. I do what I do because I have to, but strongly believe that two parents focused on a child's raising (preferably married to each other and supporting ONE household, not two) is absolutely key to produceing responsible children. In the absence of that you find a preponderance of IRresponsible children who may not understand the consequences of their actions, and have no good way to learn about relationships and families by example so that they perpetuate untenable situations.

There are way too many ways for them to fall through the cracks.

Dani (who has been lurking, listening, learning)