The old rhyme about love and marriage leading to the baby carriage isn't so true anymore. Now, the baby often precedes the marriage, the marriage might not happen, or it may be a short-lived union — all of which spells trouble for children, experts say.
New federal data showing a record high number of babies — 1.5 million — born last year to unwed mothers, with more of them in their 20s, has sparked concern about what the trend means for child well-being.
"It's really unfair to children," says David Popenoe, sociologist and co-director of the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University. "It means more children are going to grow up without mothers and fathers."
Data from the National Center for Health Statistics found the unwed moms were more likely to be twentysomethings than teenagers: 55% of births for those ages 20-24 were to unwed mothers; almost 28% for ages 25-29. In just two years — 2002 to 2004 — births to unwed mothers ages 25-29 jumped more than 14%, and 7% over the same period for the younger twentysomething mothers. Teens accounted for 50% of unwed births in 1970 but only 24% in 2004.
USA TODAY
Mike Wallace Slammed for Anti-Catholic Swipe
Long-time CBS investigative reporter Mike Wallace earned the ire of Catholics Monday night with a swipe at Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito.
Appearing on CNN’s ‘Larry King Live’ program, Wallace responded to a quote by Alito’s 90-year-old mother, Rose, who – when asked about her son’s views on abortion – said, "Of course he’s against abortion.”
Wallace sniped, "He’s a nice Catholic boy and he doesn’t believe in abortions.”
This, of course, was delivered in a not-so-complimentary fashion.
NewsMax.com
Appearing on CNN’s ‘Larry King Live’ program, Wallace responded to a quote by Alito’s 90-year-old mother, Rose, who – when asked about her son’s views on abortion – said, "Of course he’s against abortion.”
Wallace sniped, "He’s a nice Catholic boy and he doesn’t believe in abortions.”
This, of course, was delivered in a not-so-complimentary fashion.
NewsMax.com
Lawmakers consider allowing easier access to morning-after pill for rape victims
State lawmakers are considering a proposal to require hospitals to tell rape victims about the morning-after pill and to provide it to those who want it.
The morning-after pill, a high dose of the same medication found in regular birth control pills, can prevent pregnancy if taken within 120 hours of intercourse but cannot end an established pregnancy.
The aim is to "ensure that a woman, who has already become a victim, is not left feeling victimized a second time by carrying a pregnancy for nine months and delivering a baby conceived during a violent act against her," said Sen. Connie Williams, D-Delaware, who introduced the legislation at a news conference yesterday along with Sen. Joe Conti, R-Bucks, and House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg.
The morning-after pill already has fueled controversy nationwide, with some groups fighting to make it available without a prescription and others attempting to ban it completely. But lawmakers yesterday said there's nothing controversial about providing the pill as an option to rape victims.
Post-Gazette
The morning-after pill, a high dose of the same medication found in regular birth control pills, can prevent pregnancy if taken within 120 hours of intercourse but cannot end an established pregnancy.
The aim is to "ensure that a woman, who has already become a victim, is not left feeling victimized a second time by carrying a pregnancy for nine months and delivering a baby conceived during a violent act against her," said Sen. Connie Williams, D-Delaware, who introduced the legislation at a news conference yesterday along with Sen. Joe Conti, R-Bucks, and House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg.
The morning-after pill already has fueled controversy nationwide, with some groups fighting to make it available without a prescription and others attempting to ban it completely. But lawmakers yesterday said there's nothing controversial about providing the pill as an option to rape victims.
Post-Gazette
I Love Irony
GREENPEACE FINED FOR DAMAGING CORAL REEF
Their ship sliced through a reef formation while they were promoting a climate change awareness campaign. Good thing they weren't drving an oil tanker.
News.com
Their ship sliced through a reef formation while they were promoting a climate change awareness campaign. Good thing they weren't drving an oil tanker.
News.com
Panel to Recommend Major Tax Law Changes
Chosen to find a simpler way to tax the nation, a presidential panel is set to recommend two designs that would rewrite virtually every tax law for individuals and businesses.
Under the plan, most deductions, credits and other tax breaks would be eliminated along with much of the paperwork and equations that baffle taxpayers under a drastically simplified income tax.
But many, including the nine members of the presidential commission, have said key recommendations will be unpopular.
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