I take issue with the idea that "out-of-wedlock births are a national catastrophe". I believe the national catastrophe is a lack of accountability. I think that single parents raising childred without the support of the absent parent should be looked at as "deadbeat parents are a national catastrophe". The parents remaining with the children are most often doing the best they can with whatever resources they have to give their children the best life possible. If the non-custodial parent is helping with parenting responsibilites (both financial and actively involved), the chances of the children succeeding in life are greatly increased. Marriage is only desirable when both parents feel fortunate to have the other. I know very few people who prefer to live single to married, but I know even fewer men who want to be committed to a woman or a child or held accountable for the responsibilities of parenting or partnership in the long term. It seems that mothers are too often blamed for their financial circumstances, as if they should have known from the beginning that men claiming to want to be married and have families were only saying that in order to get laid...silly women...shouldn't get pregnant, and if they do, they shouldn't have abortions, or children, or if they do, it's their own fault, and they shouldn't need assistance from anyone, because no matter what happens, somehow the mother is to blame...well, as a single mother, I assure you all that I'm aware of the judgement that is passed on me constantly by married people, and everyone else who feels smarter and superior for their own circumstances, and it is this sort of thing that makes me feel destined to remain single, because I know that poverty is not the worst thing that could happen to my daughter and I. Introducing a "father" who may or may not improve our situation, remain committed, or provide stability is a gamble I am not comfortable with. And for the record, children are not stressed by poverty unless other people bring poverty to their attention. It's time for our society to realize that money doesn't make you rich...LOVE does...