I bet if we look at history and across socio-political lines, we'll find that single motherhood is a product of affluent times or liberal (socialist/tribal) societies rather than terrible poverty.

Paradoxically then, single motherhood may be as much a result of male hegemony as female autonomy.

No doubt this is good for some but bad for others, as this phenomena both weaves and knits the fabric of a culture whilst thereby ripping it asunder.

Yet we must face this issue as we turn our back on the problem, and avoid direct indecision head on.

For if we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.

"I bet if we look at history and across socio-political lines, we'll find that single motherhood is a product of affluent times or liberal (socialist/tribal) societies rather than terrible poverty."

Yes, but tribal/socialist societies in their turn usually walk hand in hand if not with "terrible poverty," then at least they don't stress the importance of material possessions - that's for sure. :)

But you're failing to acknowledge the FACT that most children are born at a very young age, especially children of single mothers. I think that both adds something to contemplate but also serves as a distraction from the underlying substrate of the scattered crux of the issue, no?

All children are born at the same age--the day they are born, they are one day old.

Or were you trying to make a point about single mothers having their first child at a young age?

No, the day AFTER they are born they are one day old. It's details like this that blur the big picture - a forest and trees issue, really.

The central substance and concrete nature of the problem lies in the ephemeral nebulous outskirts.

richard noggin:

...if we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure. ...

Dick, you are scaring me with this sequence of comments. Are you sure you haven't been writing speeches for our dyslexic president and his pet goat?

No Tonto, no...alas I am stuck with the sheep.

As my noble namesake, Herr Cheney, has put it. Freedom's just another word for running out of birdshot.

When I'm calling ewe...

Where's my lanolin, dammit.

The central substance and concrete nature of the problem lies in the ephemeral nebulous outskirts.

I think that both adds something to contemplate but also serves as a distraction from the underlying substrate of the scattered crux of the issue, no?

...as this phenomena both weaves and knits the fabric of a culture whilst thereby ripping it asunder.

wow. you are funny!!

Well put Tautology, well put - a keen and penetrating grasp of the obvious.