Liberals argue government should improve “economic opportunities” for the poor, writes Binyamin Appelbaum of NY Times; conservatives argue that society should encourage stable parental relationships. But MIT Prof. David Autor finds the decline of two-parent homes may be a significant reason male workers’ wages are declining. “There is growing evidence that sons raised by single mothers ‘appear to fare particularly poorly,’ Professor Autor wrote in an analysis for Third Way, a center-left policy research organization.”
Jonathan Cowan, president of Third Way and a Clinton administration alumnus, added, “We need to ask, ‘How can we get these fathers back involved in their children’s lives?’”
Harvard professor Christopher Jencks, clinging to old liberal shibboleths, said that “Instead of making marriage more attractive … it might be better for society to help make men more attractive.”
Wiser heads laugh at this idea, because what could any “society” – for which read: “government program” – ever do that could equal the power of marriage to civilize men?
If you want more responsible and productive men, have them marry women.
