What single mothers need

Re “The single-mom mess,” Opinion, June 3

Kay S. Hymowitz argues that a feminist-created wave of single mothers is turning its back on men and bringing down the economy. Has she any notion of the challenges women face when they have no access to reliable birth control, no support systems, limited choices and fathers who too often flee the scene after the positive pregnancy test?

If Hymowitz wants to discourage single parenthood, she should dump the tired blame-the-feminists mantra and focus on ways to support women before they get pregnant, persuade men to accept their responsibilities and call for ending the cycle of poverty that is destroying the family ethic. Bonnie Sloane Los Angeles

Does Hymowitz remember the economic good old days when twoparent families were the norm and happiness was irrelevant? I’m 74 and remember when alcoholism was common and wife-beating was acceptable. Perhaps the problem is that “economic shifts of the late 20th century” are “ill-adapted” for most of us and not just for single mothers. Sandy Smith Los Angeles

Hymowitz insinuates that many women actually “opt for” single motherhood. The high prevalence of single-female-headed households is the result of many factors, least of which has to do with women’s choice.

Amazingly absent in this article is any mention of men’s roles in this phenomenon or their responsibility to raise and support their children. Nicole Dorfman Morro Bay