Tuesday, June 19, 2001

Another Father’s Day and so many kids without fathers around




As we celebrate Father’s Day, I thank God that I had a mentor in my life, the kind of man who understood what it means to be a father.  Not everyone is so lucky.  So let’s chat about the “father crisis” in many communities in the U.S.
Ten years ago, I cut out this article from the Wall Street Journal paper edition.  I saved it and look at it from time.  It was written by Juan Williams, author and Fox News contributor.  It is “The Tragedy of America’s Disappearing Fathers“:
The extent of the problem is clear.
The nation’s out-of-wedlock birth rate is 38%.
Among white children, 28% are now born to a single mother; among Hispanic children it is 50% and reaches a chilling, disorienting peak of 71% for black children.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly a quarter of America’s white children (22%) do not have any male in their homes; nearly a third (31%) of Hispanic children and over half of black children (56%) are fatherless.
This represents a dramatic shift in American life.
In the early 1960’s, only 2.3% of white children and 24% of black children were born to a single mom.
Having a dad, in short, is now a privilege, a ticket to middle-class status on par with getting into a good college.
Kids suffer without a father, no matter their color or last name.
Father’s Day is here.  Let’s remember a simple truth: we need men to be responsible fathers.
P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Search This Blog