Or, let me put it another way. Of 167,968 children, about 100,000 are not living in a home with their father present. Whether this statistic may be skewed due to its urban setting, the local nature of things in Memphis, the overall decline in the family, even the situation in Black families -- well, it really does not matter. We are left with the situation in which the vast majority of the children in Memphis (and where else, we might wonder) have no significant father figure in their lives. More than 5 of every 8 children, 63%, have no father present in the home. Unless we are blind to shocking statistics like this, we face a situation in which the heart and soul of the family in America is under severe stress and the place where it shows most of all is in the children.
But lets forget the statistics. You must know at least 8 children. Now imagine 5 of them -- you pick out which ones - have no father at home -- not their biological father, not the husband of their mother... You take a look into the faces of the children you know and imagine how that impacts their lives and how it will impact the lives of their children...
What a bold challenge to a faith in which we are taught to pray, "Our Father, who art in heaven..."
3 comments:
This is personal in my house - my husband left me when my children were 7 and 4. I raised them alone. They are now 32 and 29. My older son is married and father to an 11 mo. old boy. He is already a much better father than his own ever dreamed of being. And I know he'll be a better grandfather and not pull the stunts his father is regarding that sweet baby.
It is the toughest job there is - raising your children alone. I had my mother nearby to pitch in during emergencies, thank goodness. I do NOT understand why women purposely have children with no husband in the house.
One of the reasons for the high
single mom population in our inner
cities is the federal government
program: Aid to Dependent Children
This encourages the father to leave
home so the mother can get the money.
This is usually more money than the
father has and who is usually not
employed. This is a racket for
some women who have many children
but no father in the home.
Saw this story, sorta related
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110830102551.htm
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