I realize reddit is not a microcosm and I am hoping that the prevalence of shit-shows on this site do not reflect the majority of women's situations in real life. But I can't help but see a pretty big correlation between unmarried pregnancy and shitty situations. And it seems like many of these pregnancies are not unintended. I will admit to be an extreme pragmatist so I don't see the point of having children with someone you are not ready to commit to for life. Am I just an old-fashioned fuddy-duddy? Are the advantages to marriage before bearing children actually real? Or is the case that idiots will continue to breed with useless man and marrying those useless men would just make the shitty situation more permanent?

I'd love to hear thoughts. And also make some disclaimers: I have nothing against unwed mothers from a moral point of view and don't really care about parents marital status provided they can provide safe, stable homes for their kids.