Today's Times reports on the fascinating assertion that parents are better to their pretty children, while the less attractive spawns are cast aside. Although this study came from Canada, there might be some value in this information. Writes one:

This image was lost some time after publication.

[At right, this] little girl was found abandoned in a shopping cart in Concord, MA using dozens of unsold InTouch Weekly's to keep her warm.

I think probably the most interesting thing learned in this lil' article is that you can now see whether or not your kid is actually good-lookin'. Go ahead - let the fruit of your groins roam the aisles of the supermarket unattended for 10, 15 minutes. Feeling guilty? Hurry and snatch up that cute little motherfucker before someone else does. Forgot that you even took your tyke to the supermarket to begin with? Back out of the place slowly and hope that ugly bastard of yours gets cozy in the meat freezer.

A Face Not Even Your Mother Could Love [You Can't Make It Up]
Ugly Children May Get Parental Short Shrift [NYT]