I don't remember if I've brought this one up or not. This is something my mother and I are on completely opposite sides of the fence about. She thinks it's better to have a bastard for a father than to have no father and not have to be put through all the crap that follows. Although, seeing as how she was married 3 times I wonder if she really thinks that or if she's only trying to convince herself that she does, because she sure didn't stick around too long with those two bastards, even if they were the precious daddies who are so important. I say throw the bastard out and forget they ever existed.

Most of the time it is best for them to be out of the picture. But not always. The remaining parent has to be healthy and able to take care of herself.

I don't think so. There are 40 somethings walking around all screwed up in the head cause they had "bad parents". Bad parentage can screw somebody up for life. No parents is better because even if someone misses having them, they can @ least not be warped.

I think having a truly "bad" parent is much worse than not having one at all. Bad parents psychologically scare their children in ways that someone who has had to make their way in the world without them at all don't have to experience.

I guess no parent is better than having a bad parent. A very good friend of mine totally hates his mother. And when he tells me stories, I can see why. He would've been better off without her.

No parent is probably better for the most part.

I'm glad my mom divorced my dad.

I guess I'm going with the majority. None is better than bad. But not by much.