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Something to think about - the Absence
of Fathers
The absence of fathers is linked to most social nightmares - from
boys with guns to girls with babies. No welfare reform plan can cut
poverty as thoroughly as a two-parent family.
A large percentage of families with children headed by single mothers
live below the poverty line. And a number of studies show that a missing
father is a better predictor of criminal activity than race or poverty.
Social scientists have made similar links between a father's absence and
his child's likelihood of being a dropout, jobless, a drug addict, a
suicide victim, mentally ill and a target of child sexual abuse.
Growing up with both parents turns out to be a better antidote to
teen pregnancy than handing out condoms.
According to David Blankenhorn, author of Fatherless America: "Fatherlessness
is the most destructive trend of our generation"
Source: Honor Thy Children
by Joseph P. Shapiro; Joannie M. Schrof; Mike Tharp;
Dorian Friedman | Feb 27 '95 |
