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I would agree that a 2 parent household would be ideal, However, I was raised by a single mother and have grown to be quite normal. I have friends that were raised in the ideal nuclear family and they have maladjustments and alcohol abuse problems. There is no steadfast rule that says just because there are two (nuclear) parents that the child will be adjusted normally. The parent(s) in either case need to be committed to the child to nuture, love, support and encourage development in any case. discipline and respect need to be taught at all age levels and dont be afraid to be affectionate to your child.

In reply to #2: well if you're a Christian, there shouldn't be that question of adultery or divorce. That would be against the Ten Commandments.

Maybe it should be a healthy marriage promotes healthy development of a child. Surely we know that marriage alone does not imply that the children will develop in a healthy manner. We all know there are some twisted and very unhealthy marriages out there that could in no way be healthy for children.  Let's be realistic ... marriage today does not imply a lifelong commitment for many people. I think that the effort and dedication required to sustain a healthy marriage would be embedded in one's character such that it would also bleed into the healthy development of their children. Most people that are promiscuous and in unhealthy relationships are carrying characteristics that do not lean towards bringing up a child that is well-rounded and balanced. Others that lean toward a life of being single and more focused on their careers/ desires are just that. They are not usually going to give the dedication, willingly, that it takes...which is why they chose the path they did. Of course there is always the other side...my parents were divorced and I am more "healthily" developed because of it. I probably would have some major issues if I had to deal with all the disagreeing within the walls of my home, rather than not really knowing. Since we did not all live in the same house, I was sheltered from much of the bickering and "bad stuff" that comes along with divorce. Marriage should be a lifelong commitment which should promote healthy development.

#8: if your opinion is that two parents is better than one because of exposure to more than one opinion and more interaction, shouldn't children with more than two "parents" be even better off? Such as Mormon families, multi-generational families commonly found in other countries, harems and so on.

Marriage can be helpful for a child or it can affect him strongly. It's better for a child to live in a single parent family then to be part of an unorganized one. Each parent should think about what's the best for the child; it's sad that more and more people choose to live together although there is no love or support. Perhaps, this is an individual decision. A child could develop a positive behavior even if he doesn't have a complete family, as long as he receives everything he needs from his parent.

One of the greatest influences in the development of a child is the environment in which they are exposed. As most of the contributors have written, it is important to find a sense of belonging in an environment that has all the good attributes necessary to raise a child. That said, perhaps a question that we should ask is if having 2 parents that are married would create a different environment from a single parent environment or a 2 parent environment without the bond of marriage? Remember that marriage is a commitment to another individual and that, by itself teaches those that are exposed to this relationship about trust, fidelity and many other great things about being in a relationship. If a child finds himself or herself in a relationship without the bond of marriage, wouldn't that child wonder or question why?