Some scholars, such as Harvard's William Julius Wilson, place part of the blame for family breakdown on the poor job prospects for unskilled men, which make them less attractive to keep around as husbands and fathers.

ECONOMIST: Out of sight, out of mind

Research carried out in Chicago's Woodlawn and Oakland districts by William Julius Wilson led this eminent Harvard sociologist to conclude that what lay behind single parenthood and the many difficulties it involves in bringing up children was unemployment and the black culture of the inner city.

ECONOMIST: Chicago's current success may be about as good as it gets