Unwed Mothers

According to an article in USA Today, recent data has shown that 2004 has set a new record. Last year in the U.S., 1.5 million babies were born to non-married women. Unlike past years, these mothers are not teenagers; they are women in their twenties.

On the surface, this may not seem like an economic issue or even a problem. However, when many of these women earn low incomes and have low levels of education, this presents a problem for the children involved and society as a whole.

Due to their low income family, these children may be brought up in unhealthy environments. They may suffer from lack of health care or a weak education system. With their mother being the only person working to support them, these children may be emotionally affected by parental lack of involvement in their lives.

From society’s point of view, these families may be likely to look for government assistance – welfare. People’s tax dollars will be going to support these children.

Based on this information, do you think that it is in the best interest of society to try and lower the birth rate among unwed mothers? Or is it up to each individual? Obviously each individual situation will be different; but looking at this issue from an economic viewpoint, what is best? How can you quantify who will be a good parent?