The latest from Walkerstan: Single parenthood leads to child abuse

I would be willing to bet folding money that single parenthood is correlated with poverty and poverty is correlated with higher rates of child abuse.

 

I would guess the same.

 

Bust out your copy of SPSS.

 

Single parenthood as an umbrella? OK. Single parenthood as its own cause leaving aside factors such as income, Mother's age, drug use, presence of non-married boyfriend, etc. etc., none of which is mentioned in the proposal? Much less clear.

Using your correlation logic, the good senator would be equally justified in proposing that the state require language that being black leads to child abuse, because the rates are higher.

 

Ha! I don't think I've seen a reference to that since stats class. Stitch is backed up on me.

 

Zeke, just so you know ... in a pinch, Fenian would not turn down a Turbodog (another Abita beer).

 

Ahem....

Crater Lake Bloody Mary -- extra spicy, no salt.

And you rule at life, Zeke. Well played.

 

We know if correlates significantly with childhood poverty. In fact, it's the leading cause.

 

What?

 

Trouble reading?

 

Your sentence - including what I assume to be the typo 'if' - could mean that

- child abuse is the leading cause of poverty.

- poverty is the leading cause of child abuse.

- single-parent homes are the leading cause of poverty.

- poverty is the leading cause of single-parent homes.

- child abuse is the leading cause of single-parent homes.

- single-parent homes are the leading cause of child abuse.

 

Correlation is not causation.