Children growing up without fathers, or without an extended family support system as an alternative, are definitely a big problem. I don't see how anyone can deny that. However, in most of the welfare cases the absent fathers are just as feckless as the mothers, so I don't really know why you are singling out the women for criticism. + It's not the children's fault - someone has to support them, though I agree this has probably enhanced feckless attitudes in both genders... I personally think that people should not have children unless they can afford them and parent them, but I really don't think it's possible to implement a policy like that. Social ostracism may work (probably it is what used to work), but I think English society has gone too far the other way (celebrating promiscuity, etc.).