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Today's Poll: How important is it that a child be raised in a home with both mom and dad present?

By Howard B. Owens
Elizabeth Downie

I voted "Not important" because what IS important is whatever is best for the child. You don't want the child to be stuck with an abusive or incompetent parent just for the sake of keeping both parents in the life of the child.

Again, whatever is best for the CHILD should be what is important!!

Sep 27, 2012, 8:27am Permalink
Lisa Falkowski

Elizabeth & Irene,
I agree as well. I voted in the middle of the road - 'somewhat.' It's important for children to be raised with both a positive male and female role model. However, I believe that with the right support network, a single parent of either gender and successfully raise a child. The child's best interest FIRST.

Sep 27, 2012, 9:51am Permalink
Mark Brudz

Elizabeth, I do not believe that anyone would disagree with you on the fact that a child remaining with an abusive family intact is unhealthy.

However, as an overall concept, the solid two parent home offers the most balanced and nuturing environment for a child. That does NOT mean that siingle parents are failures, it does not mean every single family is a cause of disfunction either.

Sep 27, 2012, 10:07am Permalink
James Renfrew

"Somewhat" here, too. I have seen fabulous single parents do amazing things for their children, and I have seen two parent families that don't have a clue. And vice versa, and everything in between. There are so many other factors involved, like poverty, unemployment, education, day care, access to medical care, addiction, mental health, housing quality, etc., that it would be hard to single out this one factor by itself.

Sep 27, 2012, 10:23am Permalink

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