--74.184.xxx.xx

I remember a while back an uncle once told me to tie it in a knot and go home. --76.188.xxx.xxx

--74.184.xxx.xx

My 19-year-old daughter has several friends who have either already had babies by young men they had only a casual relationship with, or are expecting babies soon. No education, no jobs, no father who will provide financial or emotional support, no solid relationship. I really wish we had better sources of birth control for these girls who are ruining their lives (and their children's) and have no idea what they're getting into. --24.130.xx.xx

Gail --73.20.xxx.xxx

There has NEVER been a greater time in this country where women can obtain education and financial independence but it's impossible to do when all you're focusing on is being a PEZ dispenser for babies without fathers. Off my soapbox now. Gail --73.20.xxx.xxx

Gail --73.20.xxx.xxx

It would probably do this whole country some real good to turn out televisions off for a year. --174.201.x.xxx

My daughter who is a year older and grew up knowing this girl, lives in the apartment next door. She just shakes her head over all the logistics it takes for them to get through a week - and made a decision BEFORE the others moved in next door to NEVER make herself available for child care unless something like a trip to the ER necessitated her just being a good neighbor. Looks like I got the smart young woman, after all! --71.175.xxx.x

--68.39.xxx.xxx

I completely agree with you, myob, that it is very sad. --24.181.xxx.xx

All of this started with the hippie generation of the late 60's and early 70's. Sex, drugs and rock & roll,.. it just gets passed on from one generation to the next. History repeats itself. --68.62.xxx.xxx

I have got single moms with kids in a few if my units, they truly want better for their kids are work to make a change. These, i rent to, are sincerely trying. It may take a generation or two. How many generations back in your own history to when your ancestors were farmers and struggled, hard winters, little food, no car, etc. --66.87.xx.xxx

Makes me so mad - my sons are doing it right and struggling and my girlfriend's daughter got pregnant with Mr. Loser and now has an almost free apartment and all the help she wants.... GRRR We reward behavior that used to be frowned on. We now call single mother's heroes.... --97.95.xxx.xx

In our family, everyone is former military, nobody is on welfare, nobody is in jail or addicted to drugs, or pregnant at 17. I think it is family and a sense of responsibility and values that make the difference. --24.121.xxx.xxx

You need a license and insurance to drive a car but neither to have a baby..... I have old high school friends that got pregnant while in high school or just after... I watch them via Facebook as they try to pull themselves out of the gutter and they are well into their 40's. Their daughters are just graduated high school and already have baby's ... Not sure if it was by choice but history is repeating itself... --75.128.xx.xxx

I did taxes for my daughter's friend who has two kids by the same guy. She gets free healthcare from the state, earned income credit and can file as head of household, he files as single. She got $4500 more back in taxes than she paid in. So much of that would be gone and shed no longer qualify for the free healthcare if they married. Can't say as I blame them for remaining single. --173.170.xxx.xxx

So they even encourage bad behavior. --73.251.xxx.xx

Last I saw she was working the window at the donut shop. --73.249.xxx.xxx

These young men/ladies are not being taught anything, that is the problem. We have no morals or pride, and these kids for the most part are the product of the very same situation they created for themselves. Sad times we are living in. --71.1.xx.xxx

Now what do we have? Groups getting together to see how many they can impregnate. --74.184.xxx.xx

This thread got me to thinking. I knew I had quite a few single mothers but didn't realize how many until I counted; 17! These all range from late 20's to early 50's I would guess. The interesting thing reflecting back on it is they seem much more stable than the last few "couples" I've rented to, Especially those under 25. What I've observed is the young couples with baby in tow wants to set up housekeeping but as soon as things get dicey the guy bails. This of course is preceded with all kinds of drama and naturally they're never married. My conclusion is that the female realizes she's on her own with the kids and has to make due. Surprisingly I have little problems with the single mothers...once they throw out the Bum fathers. My new policy: no more experimenting at my expense. --97.99.xxx.xxx

--67.82.xxx.xx

So everyone in this thread is for free birthcintrol, amirite?? --66.87.xx.xx

funny!, but sad. --76.238.xxx.xxx

I had a 20 y/o mother who was 4-months pregnant and also had a 4 y/o. She had just started a full-time job, but I declined her application because of her short employment history and with a new baby she would have been scratching to get by. --76.238.xxx.xxx

Back in 50's the gals couldn't get free $$ without identifying the daddy (after testing, the daddy would be responsible to pay child support)married or not. welfare periodically would check single Moms home to make sure no mens clothes were hanging in the closet's. --180.103.xxx.xx

I am definitely for free birth control, especially long-term forms like the IUD that don't require the user to remember to take pills or follow schedules. It's the best way to help girls avoid making life-ruining mistakes before they even get started in the adult world. It also greatly reduces the abortion rate. See the experience in Colorado. --24.130.xx.xx

Where being a mom is an incredibly difficult task, you really don't set the kid up for success that way --72.23.xxx.xxx

How's that for convenience ? --24.180.xxx.x

--72.214.xx.x

Blue - ABSOLUTELY! --97.95.xxx.xx