Statistics

~ ABSENCE OF FATHERS FROM THEIR FAMILIES ~

The disorder and decay in virtually every arena of society is an indication to the fact that the human family has moved further and further away from God and His plan of blessing for mankind. The absence of fathers from families has tentacles that affect many of the issues which our communities face today. These effects touch education, affordable housing, poverty, widespread criminal activity, drug, alcohol, and sexual abuse along with economic chaos and an increasing plethora of personal psychological and physiological health issues leaving us exasperated and asking the question: "How did we get here and what can we do to change our communities around?” We don’t have to look far to see the effects of fatherlessness.

Boys born to teen mothers are more than 2 1/2 times likely to father a child between ages 14-26.
One out of every 2 children are born to unmarried parents.
35% of single parents are co-habitating
54% of female high school seniors say they believe that having a child outside of marriage is a worthwhile lifestyle.
63% of Afro-American children, 35% of Latino children and 28% of Caucasian children are living in homes absent their biological father.

(Source: Father Facts 5th edition — National Fatherhood Initiative)

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports the following statistics as a result of the impact of fathers’ absence from their families:

90% of homeless and runaway children
85% of children with behavioral disorders
85% of youth in prison
80% of rapists
75% of children in chemical abuse centers
71% of high school dropouts
63% of teen suicides
47% of convicted thrill killers & sex murderers (according to FBI research)

(Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services www.childrensjustice.org/fatherlessness2.htm)