Final answer:
Edin and Kefalas suggest poor mothers often make 'bad bets' in choosing male partners due to socioeconomic factors and systemic barriers, reflecting broader social issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Edin and Kefalas argue that poor mothers often make "bad bets" with regard to their choices in male partners, influenced by socioeconomic factors and the hope that these relationships would lead to a better life. Specifically, they suggest that these women, confronted with limited economic opportunities and a challenging social environment, sometimes choose partners who are unable to provide stability or may even exacerbate financial and emotional hardships. This pattern is reflective of broader social issues including gender dynamics, economic insecurity, and a lack of viable male partners due to systemic barriers such as unemployment and incarceration rates in low-income communities.