Discusses the social consequences of children left at home unsupervised by adults, particularly by their mothers. Highlights the effects on children of having employed or single mothers: lack of sufficient interaction with parents, low academic achievement, substance use, and violence. Suggests the need for a new look at the social construction of…

Experts believe that child obesity is a serious medical problem that affects people in all socioeconomic groups. Suggests that there is a relationship between absentee parents, particularly mothers, and obese children, focusing on working/absentee mothers, television watching habits, the prophylactic effect of breastfeeding, and poor exercise…