PREGNANT POSSIBILITIES

Making The Switch On Single Motherhood

By Elizabeth C.

BACK WHEN CANDACE BERGEN IGNITED NATIONAL DEBATE WHEN her TV character opted to have a baby alone, I thought Murphy Brown too cavalierly promoted the idea of single motherhood.

I knew moms who chose that path, and I could see the wrenching costs to them. The ones I knew eked out modest l existences to feed and clothe their child, and at the end of the day, they were often too exhausted to do anything more than microwave dinner and put the kid to bed.

And didn't that child deserve a dad, deserve the right to fit the "family mold" -- mom, dad and baby?

Such a know-it-all I was.

Then I had one myself, and the transformational love cracked open my heart and turned my head around: who was I to deny anyone of such elemental joy? Who had the right to deprive someone who wanted a child that defining purpose?

Ay ya ya, god I hate speeches so let me get to my point.

Jennifer Aniston's new movie The Switch once again raises into the squishy subject of single motherhood. "The point of the movie is, 'What is it that defines family?' " the star said while promoting the movie. "It isn't necessarily the traditional mother, father, two children and a dog named Spot. Love is love and family is what is around you and who is in your immediate sphere. That is what I love about this movie."

Of course, Fox hot head Bill O’Reilly wasted no time calling her comments "destructive to our society" and accused Aniston of "diminishing the role of the dad."

I'd argue that our country’s economic breakdown, shrinking wages and unstable job market diminish dads too. But O’Reilly’s not looking to debate the complexities that challenge families today.

So let me keep it simple: The Switch is just a movie that probably makes single parenthood look all too easy. So don't go making any decisions about sperm bank shopping while watching it.

But also know that the "right"’ answer about single motherhood isn’t as black and white as O’Reilly pretends. And only you -- the prospective single mom or dad know the answer.