ONE of the softer targets for politicians these days is that demonic figure the single mother.

Without doubt, British teenagers are now producing at a rate that outstrips any other country in Europe. The inference is that these girls are producing the next generation of no-hopers, who will in turn start reproducing themselves at the first signs of puberty.

I have no doubt this vicious circle is a depressing reality.

But what about the fathers of these children?

There seems to be no focus whatsoever on the youths who are so obviously ducking their responsibilities. Walk through Worcester on any day of the week, and you will see young women barely out of childhood with children of their own.

With ne'er a young male in sight.

The whole issue of fatherhood has been in the spotlight recently, particularly with the advent of the publicity-mad Fathers4justice. However, its members' addiction to extravagant silliness only serves to detract from the important matters in hand.

There is obviously something lacking in this nation's homes and schools that causes so many young people to have the worst possible starts in life.

To have a child too young usually leads to a future of lost opportunity, wasted talent and welfare dependency.

We may not be able to completely halt this cycle of deprivation. But if some of these feckless fathers could be brought to account, that would be a start.