Don't generalize: Some single parents overcome obstacles and do a fine job

Monday, August 28, 2006 Don't generalize: Some single parents overcome obstacles and do a fine job EDITOR: This is a response to the letter to the editor that appeared in The Vindicator Aug. 11. The letter stated that every household must have a mother and father in it to produce successful law abiding children. In a perfect world, I realize that is the optimum situation, but for many single parents that is not an option. I am one of those single parents who had no choice other than to raise my children alone, giving them the best I had to give and surrounding them with a solid support system that reinforced the beliefs and values I wanted them to acquire and use in their lives. I have seen many children come from single family homes who grew up to become doctors, lawyers, business persons and many other professions. I am proud to say my two children are also excellent examples of the type of children that come from single parent households. Both of my children have masters degrees. My son is the executive vice president of marketing for General Motors and my daughter owns her own consulting and training business here in Youngstown. She is known and respected for her work with children and families in this community. Also both of my daughter's children (whom I helped raise) are college graduates and my two younger grandchildren are well on their way to following them in their academic pursuits. Sure, I wish I could have had the help of my children's father in their upbringing. But I, like many single mothers out there, forged ahead alone, worked hard and have been rewarded and blessed with wonderful, successful children. So to say that ALL children who are raised in single parent homes (particularly African American children) end up as dropouts, unemployed, in jail or prison, in gangs, or having babies, is a slap in the face to all of us who have worked so hard to assure that our children are not one of those statistics. Before you condemn all single parents and their children, get your facts straight. MARY LOUISE JACKSON Campbell Happy days are here again EDITOR: Would you believe the second happiest day of the year is almost here?* The day mothers and children thought would never come is just around the corner. Despite all the misgivings, starting with "does the bus driver know where I live?" the child eventually finds her room, her desk, her space and, with just a touch of arrogance, folds her hands to await the announcement. "Good morning, students. I am your teacher." Hearing this, an inner confidence fills the student as he/she anticipates all that lies ahead. Almost everything that is constant and worthwhile about American democracy revolves around this simple pledge. "I am your teacher." It is the cornerstone of a system that has continually produced an exceptional, literate, free-thinking citizenry, from mathematician to fisherman, from accountant to postman, from doctor to politician. (Maybe politician is a bad example.) All are products of a system that places its trust, not in a steady barrage of tests, but in a dedicated professional who, day after day, stands before a class fulfilling the pledge stated on day one. Our forefathers were aware of this bond and made it possible for every child in every generation to receive a free education so that all may responsibly and proudly hail this part of the earth known to all as the United States of America. DONALD H. EVANS Austintown * The happiest day of the year is the last day of school.