MtheGM please PLEASE re read my post of 15 Aug 10 - 08:09 PM
and my previous reply to you on 16 Aug 10 - 06:56 AM

I made it quite clear in both posts that I was not the 'single mother' of the testament I quoted from The Times

I wish I had some of her talent however, as those were the experiences of J K Rowlings

I agree there is no such thing as a typical single parent.

BUT THE MYTHS AND LABELS ARE VERY FAR FROM THE REALITY OF MOST SINGLE PARENTS' LIVES

I have pointed out in a previous post that the average age of single parents (not all of them are female you know) is actually 36 years -only 13% being under 23 years of age
Additionally, 56.3% of lone parents are in paid employment others are actively seeking work that fits in with good child care

Of course there are young mothers (and fathers) there always have been; adolescent parenthood has been a fairly common experience throughout history

In America for example The 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s included the twentieth century's highest teen birth rates (respectively 79.5, 91.0, and 69.7 per thousand).
By 1960, nearly one-third of American females had their first child before reaching age twenty.

And, of course, there are currently socio-economic problems associated with early parenthood in a society where we have extended school age and all but done away with opportunities for independent living and employment until well past puberty (the average age of menarche has now dropped to about 13)


Gingerbread has recently started a campaign entitled Lose the Labels aimed directly at the media and individuals that label single parents, and use language that stigmatises them
As one active member said -

"The media portray us as living from benefit payment to pub."

Why perpetuate this image which is as offensive as it is inaccurate for the vast majority of single parents?