[mercedesjin]

MMM: I've said it again, and I'll continue to say it: CULTURAL value. Not financial value. Money is what makes the world go around these days and, unfortunately, for alimony a person needs to go to court. To win their case, a person needs a good lawyer. For a good lawyer, a person needs money. Painful catch 22, isn't it?

As for single parents, what are the roles that each father and mother must play in a child's life?

And your question... I'm sorry, I don't understand it, I guess because it's out of context. I can't find where it was originally asked either. Explain it for me please?

Nyororin: At this point, I kind of feel like we're going back and forth based on what we feel and what we know... I don't know about you, but I don't have any statistics handy to prove my points. So, I don't know, I almost feel like saying whatever it is I want to say is a little pointless. Saying, "yeah, well, I know a lot of women who've never had any jobs" is kind of pointless because that's just my experience. I don't know the numbers nationally for the USA or Japan.

It's kind of the same as the single parent situation. Neither of us know how many successful single parents they are. I know I personally feel that it's entirely possible. There are plenty of single successful mothers and fathers who are out there, making it work. They bring their child to work, they take their child to grandma's house, they take their work home... I've seen it. Not with a CEO, no, but with other pretty demanding jobs. Again, I don't have statistics, but I know it can work based on my experience.

bELyVIS: Yeah, and usually lawyers cost money. Lots and lots of money. Money that these jobless people most likely won't have.

I can define what I want to be in this society, but if society doesn't agree, then that's not what I am. I can start declaring, "I'M A STRAIGHT WHITE MAN!" By your theory, if I didn't allow society to place me into any role, then I really am a straight white man. People will look at me and see otherwise, however. For that reason, I can't say that I won't allow society to place me into any role.

Like I said to Nyororin, I think it's completely possible to have and take care of a child in a successful position.