Glenn Grothman: Child Abuse, Single Parenting

National organizations and "war on women" proponents are seizing on Sen. Glenn Grothman's bill which would require the "Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board to emphasize nonmarital parenthood as a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect."

Read the text of Grothman's bill.

From WISN:

A Wisconsin senator is making national headlines for sponsoring a bill that says single parenting is a contributing factor to child abuse, but he told 12 News on Thursday that his intentions are being misunderstood.

Republican state Sen. Glenn Grothman said he's not trying to make state law consider single parenting child abuse, but critics say the wording in the bill is a slippery slope that brings criticism on single parents.

Grothman, of West Bend, said the bill he's sponsoring would force a state education board to emphasize "non-marital parenthood as a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect."

"The vast majority of single mothers and fathers in our society do a good job," Grothman said.

Grothman said the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board is failing to teach a traditional family with a mother and father at home is a better way of raising children.

"Right now, in the social welfare establishment, they are so politically correct they are afraid to state the obvious," Grothman said.

"This is just very divisive, non-inclusive language," said Nicole Angresano of United Way.

Angresano said her agency in Milwaukee serves many different types of families, and while she agrees teen pregnancy is a problem, Grothman is lumping all single parents together.

"It's quite concerning to imply that single motherhood is always a choice. We know that in Wisconsin and every other state, many, many women are the victims of sexual violence and sexual crimes that result in pregnancy. I think it's fair to say that Mr. Grothman certainly doesn't believe in any other option for that woman other than giving birth," Angresano said.

First, Angresano is being misleading. Pregnancies from rape are extremely rare. She should be honest.

Now, to the matter of the bill--

If Grothman is going to introduce a bill requiring the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board to stress the threat that nonmarital parenthood poses to children, he needs to be very clear.

For generations, usually in the case of the death of a spouse, there have been one-parent households. Is Grothman saying that in such situations one-parent households put children at risk for child abuse?

So many children today live in families split by divorce. Is Grothman suggesting those kids should be considered at risk?

I think that's misguided. It's too sweeping to paint all single parents as potential abusers or as exposing their kids to abusers. Choosing to leave a bad relationship can be much healthier for the children.

If he wants to emphasize the importance of a stable family unit, as opposed to children living in homes with a lack of stability, I can understand that.

As I read the bill, he's not out to declare nonmarital parenthood as child abuse in itself. I believe he's saying that it's a contributing factor and should be recognized as such.

The defining process is rather messy and probably is to blame for much of the uproar. "Nonmarital parenthood" is too broad to be of value in determining child abuse risk. It encompasses too many types of households to distinguish between the good and poor environments for children. It doesn't account for all the variables at play.

Grothman said national and local statistics on child abuse back his reason for proposing a change in state law.

Grothman is right about studies showing that children are at greater risk of abuse and neglect in nonmarital parenthood circumstances.

The studies are disturbing.

For an overview: Children at higher risk in nontraditional homes.

[M]any scholars and social workers who monitor America's families see the abusive-boyfriend syndrome as part of a broader, deeply worrisome trend. They note an ever-increasing share of America's children grow up in homes without both biological parents, and say the risk of child abuse is markedly higher in the nontraditional family structures.

“This is the dark underbelly of cohabitation,” said Brad Wilcox, a University of Virginia sociologist. “Cohabitation has become quite common, and most people think, 'What's the harm?' The harm is we're increasing a pattern of relationships that's not good for children."

I don't think it's fair for Grothman to be depicted as a loon when there is a great deal of research to back his concerns.

It's irresponsible for organizations to jump all over Grothman. They're turning a blind eye to something that's politically inconvenient.

One doesn't have to struggle to find child abuse cases involving a woman and her abusive boyfriend.

Shouldn't the safety of children be the priority rather than the collateral damage of a political agenda?

..."If you have a single mother or father living with their girlfriend or boyfriend, there's 20 times as great a chance for sexual abuse as if you had a child living with their natural mother and father," Grothman said.

Grothman's bill has no criminal penalties for single parents, but would impact the teachings of the state child abuse and neglect prevention board which has a $3 million a year budget.

I would hope there would be "no criminal penalties for single parents."

Good grief!

A woman is widowed and she'd face criminal penalties?

That's insane.

The discussion is muddled because the definitions aren't clear.

The fact is unwed mothers in serial relationships resulting in serial pregnancies pose a signficant problem to society. Let's not pretend that isn't true. Let's not pretend that doesn't harm children.

Grothman's bill is about the teachings of a state board, not declaring single parenting per se to be child abuse.

I think it's important to address the growing number of children being raised in homes lacking stability.

I don't believe stability necessarily means a mother and a father. Certainly, two biological parents living together with their children can be a horrifically abusive family unit.

The heartbreaking case in Madison of the father, stepmother, and stepbrother abusing a girl is a reminder that not all marital parenthood is good.

It's complex and many variables need to be taken into account.

Girls having a couple of babies before they're 18, fathered by a couple of guys, are not likely to provide a healthy environment for the children. It's a mess. No one takes responsibility and the children suffer terribly.

I don't think Grothman is wrong to address this breakdown in society. The crumbling of the family leads to an array of social problems and crime. The human toll is great. Lives are destroyed.

Still, it's wrong to assume that marital parenthood necessarily means children will have a good upbringing; but research does back Grothman's claims that nonmarital parenthood puts children at greater risk of abuse. That's undeniable.

I find it troubling that the Leftists are using Grothman's bill to advance their "war on women" narrative.

TMJ4 led with the story on its 10:00 PM newscast yesterday.

The breathless account was very poor. It wasn't a balanced, serious discussion of the issue. It was more of a hit piece on Grothman.

Video.



Planned Parenthood has called it part of an "attack on women's health."

This isn't about women's health. Isn't it about children's health?

The abuse of children is not a women's health issue. It's also not an argument for abortion - the ultimate form of child abuse.

Dana Schultz works with 9to5, a grassroots organization helping women in the workplace. "We need caps and gowns, not wedding gowns. We need to focus on job training," said Dana Schultz.

Lame.

I had a cap and gown, and a wedding gown.

We need both.

Why say we don't need wedding gowns?

The spin is incredibly frustrating.

Problems, real problems, become lost in the political war and the ensuing flat-out stupidity.

No solutions.

Just be responsible and love your children.