He says it is better for a child to be brought up by two loving parents, whatever their gender, than by a single parent.

Why? 

What has he got against single parents?  

Does he know any?  

He should observe some, before making such blatant statements. 

Mr O'Connor also said "there are already far too many single parents in the world, with regrettable potential effects on the children". 

Why does he think there are far too many single parents in the world?  

Also, most become single parents through circumstances, not by choice, and many do an excellent job, with no harmful effects on the children.

Mr O'Connor mentioned he is a teacher. 

When I was teaching I found it was a common misconception among some teachers that children of single parent families performed less well and were more likely to misbehave in class. 

This is nonsense.

I never found it so when I taught.

Some teachers just seek excuses for poor behaviour instead of dealing with it.

I was a single parent, yet my three children out performed many and did not misbehave. 

Their teachers always said they were a pleasure to teach. 

They now all have happy marriages, excellent jobs and responsible, well behaved children. 

For a single parent, or same sex couples, it is very important to have good role models of the opposite sex (trusted friends or family members) to whom the children can relate. 

Any parenting depends on how well it is done, and single parents are no exception to this. 

Marietta Cepparano

Millingandi