The National Center for Health Statistics shows childbearing for single moms reached a record high in 2006.

And Diane Debrovner, Senior Editor of Parents magazine, says stars having kids out of wedlock makes it seem glamorous.

“I think,” Debrovner told Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen Thursday, “because of our media obsession with celebrities and their every move … they set the bar at what is sort of socially acceptable and fashionable in many ways.”

She says she’s sure that makes it more likely the average woman will look at the single celebrities and say, “If they can do it, why can’t I?”

“The rate of births out of wedlock is higher than ever,” Debrovner observed. “I don’t know if celebrities are the main reason fueling that trend. But I think that the media make us feel that, if celebrities can do something, that that’s something we should aspire to.

“And, absolutely, their life is very different than the average woman. And I hope that people remember that when they see these stories in the news.

“They have resources that most women don’t have. They probably have a team of nannies waiting in the wings and a personal trainer at home.

“There are millions of wonderful single parents in this country and their children can thrive. But the reality is that, logistically and emotionally and financially, it’s much more difficult to be a single parent than a parent with a partner.” (…)

Source: CBS News, NY
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