Single parenting certainly seems to be hard. Still, I've had exactly same thoughts, assuming I'd someday wish for kids enough. Comments on finance and overall happiness of single parent seems to differ inhere, I've heard lots of good too, and by no doubt depends on mother's attitude. Of course it is easier if one has own parents, siblings or friends to help. Which is something I'd not have, and it weights in my decision making a great deal.
It might not be the best idea to hump just any guy that might have many illnesses going in his family. Whereas people in relationships usually don't consider their genetic material that much, I believe it's much because they get family out of love for each other and they really do have each other's support, but in my opinion person aiming to be a single parent should pay more attention on who's the dad, so that there'd not be unnecessary health problems for parent to take care alone, with less money. I think that contraception has gotten a lot more popular, at least in here, as men do realize that they don't want to end up paying for unwanted children. Then again fertility clinics that do some screening on donor material aren't all too expensive if there's only need for short treatment. But some don't wish to support them and it might be more about not wanting to support health care professionals who do great piles of money on benefit of people's dreams, than the cost itself. At least it is legally safe for every party involved, baby included.
What Peace commented about getting kids with a good friend could also be a good idea. Personally I don't believe that anything should be faked because kid "should have a normal family". Even divorces are encouraged these days, and kids won't get damaged about that if parents their selves won't start arguing over every detail. Kid will learn how ever parent/parents choose to do as long as they have safe conditions - a supporting family, a roof and food.
