65% of women in South Africa with babies under the age of 2 are single (never married and not living together). In 2006, this proportion was 50%. (AMPS2011, AMPS2006)
I would hate to be a fatherless child, and a burden to the mother who has to work as well as be a parent. Women need to be more responsible about contraception, as well as be considerate about the child’s needs.
If the child could choose through which womb to be born I doubt it would be to a single mother.
Not to rain on your parade (or tirade) Mark, but it takes more than one person to make a baby. Why would the responsibility of contraception be on her alone?
Upbringing, education, culture, religion, morals, and discipline come to mind. Note the very low figure for single Indian women – this bears out the qualitative words above. The figures for abortions carried out by single mothers must be horrific.
Figure for Single Indian Women is 0,5%
However there is a Cultural Allowance that is not Factored in – Most Kids from Rural Homes stay in the Extended Family, which covers the Quality words.
Also Traditional Marriages are (maybe) Not Recorded as Marriages.
This is consistant with the SA Institute of Race Relations figures. Family life is in trouble, because we do not know how to be in proper relationships. @Mark you need to wake up.
I read this stat earlier in the week and I just can’t get it out of my head. It’s unbelievable and freighting.
As a spoilt, middle class, male my initial thought was, “shame it must be a rural issue” but then I had a look around my Sandton office and 5 out of the 15 woman are single moms.
How will no male role models (make that, bad male role models) affect us and society?
I find it hard to foresee but it feels serious and significant.
As an aside, some food for thought, perhaps contraception caused the problem? Contraception equals sex without responsibility? And then when the responsibility comes?
Mark
Pam
Andrea
Zai
Lance Claasen
Darryl
Chris Wildman
Chris Wildman
Jonathan