As if single parents always have a choice? Wisconsin legislator Glenn Grothman, a Republican who happens to be a close ally to Governor Scott Walker, has introduced legislation that would classify nonmarital parenthood as child abuse and neglect for purposes of the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board’s operations.

The legislation specifically indicates that nonmarital parenthood is a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect.

Section 1. 48.982 (2) (g) 2. of the statutes is amended to read: 48.982 (2) (g) 2. Promote statewide educational and public awareness campaigns and materials for the purpose of developing public awareness of the problems of child abuse and neglect. In promoting those campaigns and materials, the board shall emphasize nonmarital parenthood as a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect.

Section 2. 48.982 (2) (g) 4. of the statutes is amended to read: 48.982 (2) (g) 4. Disseminate information about the problems of and methods of preventing child abuse and neglect to the public and to organizations concerned with those problems. In disseminating that information, the board shall emphasize nonmarital parenthood as a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect.

That would apparently apply to children born of non-married couples and same-sex couples.

This is yet another assault on women and ignores the fact that children in a loving home environment benefit - regardless of whether they’ve got a single parent or parents who are of the same sex or if the parents are not married.

He’s trying to link child abuse and neglect to children born out of a heterosexual marriage situation, and I don’t think the link can pass the smell test. It’s just another chapter in the culture war against women and nonmarried couples.