Questions like this are rarely black and white they are almost always shades of gray.
The fact is that it is better for children to be raised in a house with a mother and father because children learn a lot from both parents. Yes, there are circumstance where there is no choice but that one parent raises a child. At one point in my life due to a divorce I was forced into single parenthood and I know it is far from an easy job. And I admire these parents for doing the best job they can in difficult situations.
With a woman getting artificially inseminated it would depend intirely on the circumstances. Is this a woman who has wanted a baby all her life and has never been fortunate enough to marry. Is she running out of time to have children. Does she makes an effort to make sure the child has a regular male influence in their life such as a grandpa or uncle. I could definate understand. How could you judge such a woman?
But the fact is that some of the woman who choose this, just hate men and is just out too prove that she can do the job just as well by herself. She may want to prove that she does not "need a man". Sadly the fact is she can't do as well by herself. It is an unfortunate fact, but it is the truth. No only that, but she will pass her unhealth hatred of men on to the child and seriously harm the childs chance of having health relationships later in life. In this case she should deal with her hatred of men before she chooses to have a baby.
As far as a single man or woman adopting a child. That would depend intirely on if he sits on a 2-3 year waiting list to get that perfect newborn who would otherwise be adopted by a loving couple, or if he adopted a child who would other wise languish in foster care. But then I do not think anyone should wait 2-3 years for that "perfect" baby. I think there are way to many kids in foster care who need a loving home no matter if it is 1 parent or 8 parents as long as it is a family that will love them.
There is the best situation and that is a health family where a child can learn about roles, responsiblities and healthy relationships.
And there is alternative situations that are not as good. But As long as the person recognizes that they can not do it alone and works to place consistent positive Male and famale role models in the childs life than society should stay out of it.
The problem comes when you think you can do it alone, because that is when you fail to fill in the gaps left from not having a Mom and a Dad. It is getting to the point that there are more single parent homes than families, because families are no longer valued as the powerful nurturing situations that they are. It is time people realize that giving up on families is ultimatly short changing our children.
