To be precise, the group routinely has members which become pregnant and raise children. I didn't mean that the group has members which routinely become pregnant and raise children.

I don't think you understand the meaning of the word "routine": a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program.

"Is more likely to become .. " or "more commonly becomes" would make more sense. Nonetheless, what you are getting at (treating individuals as members of a group) is precisely the problem. Treat people as individuals, even if you believe expecting mothers to be a bad investment, don't assume every woman is more likely to become pregnant.

It also means regular and customary. That's all I meant.

Wow, you're really intent on digging yourself into a hole. "Women regularly and by custom get pregnant and raise children, so they make bad investments" is what you're saying now?

If not that, what exactly are you saying?

You're the one wasting time with ridiculous semantic arguments, but this time I don't even know what semantic argument you're trying to make. Women absolutely do regularly and customarily (two words which are synonymous) get pregnant and raise children. I never said anything about women making bad investments, and I have no idea where you're getting that idea.

I am speaking very clearly. Pregnancies are common and normal, plain and simple. Use whatever word you like. Regular, normal, usual, routine, etc.

We'll let the readers be the judge. If you think "regular", "normal", "usual" and "routine" mean the same thing, I'd just have to add "synonymous" to get a list of words you don't quite understand ;)

> I have no idea where you're getting that idea

from here:

> if I had to choose one group where problems would be more likely, I would choose the group that routinely becomes pregnant and raises children

> We'll let the readers be the judge. If you think "regular", "normal", "usual" and "routine" mean the same thing, I'd just have to add "synonymous" to get a list of words you don't quite understand

I'm in good company:

http://thesaurus.com/browse/routine

http://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/routine[adjective]

That was exactly my point, "synonym" != "the same thing", it's a bit more nuanced than that and requires the context in which the words are used.

Only a 3rd grader thinks its ok to trot out their thesaurus and willy nilly replace words.

(also, from reading this thread, I don't seem to be the only one who thinks your english leaves something to be desired)