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Just wondering , though- how would you argue with, say, gay males who would assure you that they will still reproduce and pass on their sperm via surrogate mothers, as is now a new trend among them (Elton John being a famous example, but thousands of others are doing it as well). And lesbians who would tell you they will use sperm donors? (to me this is a whole new ethical problem which needs reigning in soon).

I would answer that offspring need input from both the male and female to successfully reach adulthood and form their own mating bond.

Reproduction involves more than just the male making his deposit and disappearing, it requires both parent investing in the upbringing of the offspring to assure survival. Harry and Larry aren't going to cut it, not only because they cannot take the place of mom, but because the role model they present is not one that will lead any offspring to adulthood with the appropriate background required for a successful relationship with the opposite sex.

Yes, I know there are exceptions to every rule. Just some personal observations about individuals I have been involved with who came from single parent or nontraditional families.

First, a very dear friend whom I've know since kindergarten. He was the youngest of four children. His father died of a heart attack when he was a toddler and his mom didn't remarry until all of the kids were grown. He was always just a bit different from the other boys who had dads. Not that he was a bad kid, he was a very good kid, just there was always something a bit different about him. He's now married with a son of his own and his son appears to be a totally normal kid with out that differentness that his dad had. Interestingly, his brother also married and had children, but neither of his sisters did and one sister has had some "issues" including being picked up for shoplifting (not a teenager, she was in her 50's when this happened - I'm not saying it was because of the lack of a father, just noting)

Next, I work with a guy who was raised by two dads. While he's married (but unable to conceive and going for in vitro, TMI) he stand out like a sore thumb, especially when contrasted to the other people I work with, many of whom are former police and FBI agent - the uber males, if you will. What I find most interesting about this guy is the size of his ego. He thinks he's the most wonderful thing that ever happened, and he's totally oblivious to how much of an idiot everyone else thinks he is. Again, I know that trait is shared by many others from two parent homes, but from other people who have come from "alternative" backgrounds, there seems to be some commonality there.

Anyway, in both of these cases there was the lack of a parent and both exemplify why a mom and a dad are the best assurance for raising offspring who, in turn, will produce their own successful families.

(I'm not even going into what's happen to the african american community and how the lack of fathers has destroyed a generation of young black men and women)