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I'm making the assumption re dysfunctional homes based on the fact that a disproportionate number of children who are removed from regular public school classes and put in separate special ed classes and separate special ed schools, are from inner city, welfare and substance addicted homes. Many were born with mental problems due their mother's drinking and crack-smoking during pregnancy. Many have also never had a resident father, and a revolving cast of substance abusing boyfriends doesn't provide much of a model for controlling aggression and impulsivity. Also, a single parent is much more likely to be unable to cope with a mentally ill child as he grows larger and capable of more serious violence. Obviously there are a lot of wonderful families who have children with serious mental problems, but statistically the dysfunctional segments of society produce a lot more mental illness.

Whatever it is....it needs to be fixed within the family. And I guess that's where we conservatives differ from liberals. Government programs and money isn't going to solve this in and of it self....it is going to take education of society and research, and rather than the gay community wanting to put "My Two Dads" in the classroom, we should be educating children on this.

I would agree on the dad figures.....I don't date any more, I had two boyfriends in the last 7 years since I have been divorced. One is still a great friend and he was a positive influence on my children. The other appeared to be, and thank God his "faults" were not apparent to my children...I decided then and there that I would never bring men through their lives, so I concentrate on them. When they are grown, then I can find a life with a man, maybe. They are my life and my main concerns right now. I have male friends, yes, but they are just that and my daughters love them and they are all positive people. My focus is my family.