Topics for Discussion

1. The changing role of women in society.
   
   
2. How attitudes change over time.
   
   
3. Current support and services available for single parents.

Questions for Discussion

1. How did people feel about single mothers 100 years ago? Is this different from the way people feel today? If so, why do you think attitudes changed?
   
   
2. When single women became pregnant 100 years ago, what choices did they have? What choices do single mothers have today? How are these choices different?
   
   
3. What does abandonment mean? Is this something that happens today? Why or why not?
   
   
4. What is a bastardy case? Why did the courts enforce the bastardy laws? How do the bastardy laws compare to the current system of child support? Which system do you think is better? Are there any parts of the old system that might be useful today? If so, explain.
   
   
5. Single fathers are not talked about in this essay. Why do you think that is so? What roles do single fathers play in raising their children today?