There are good reasons to honor fathers today

Lifestyles

June 18, 2011

By Dr. Stanley Watson, Syndicated Columnist The Picayune Item Picayune Item Sat Jun 18, 2011, 07:00 PM CDT

PICAYUNE — Numerous studies now prove that the presence of a father in the home is as important as that of the mother. Most single mothers will agree that their children need a father in the home yet, we are told, at least half of America's children will spend a good part of their childhood in fatherless homes. The following statistics compares children who live with both parents to children who live with single mothers. I shared this information awhile back and feel that it is worth repeating.

1. Children living with both parents do well in school and in the community. Nine out of ten of the fatherless youngsters "exhibit behavioral disorders" according to the Center for Disease Control.

2, They stay in school. The National Principal's Report shows that over two thirds of high school dropouts are from fatherless homes.

3. They appreciate their home and family. Nine out of ten of runaways are from fatherless homes according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census.

4. They refuse to damage their brains and health with drugs. Three out of four of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes according to Rainbows for all God's Children.

5. They value their lives. According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census two out of three of youth suicides are from fatherless homes.

6. They respect the opposite sex. According to the records of Criminal Justice and Behavior boys from fatherless homes commit 80% of the nation's rapes.

7. They respect the law. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that 70% of the youths in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes.

8. Daughters wait until they reach maturity to marry and have children. Girls who reach puberty without fathers are more than twice as likely to have children during their teen years when compared to daughters from intact families according to The Good Family Man by David Blankenhorn.

9. Daughters know that a baby needs both parents. Barbara Defoe Whitehead reported in the Atlantic Monthly that Daughters of single parents are 164% more likely to have babies out of wedlock.

These figures were reported by the Christian Action Commission of the Mississippi Baptist Convention. They show that children who do not have the benefit of a parenting father are seriously hurt. They are chronically angry and take it out on whoever is in the home, the teacher at school, the other kids in the community and even the police.

The report goes on to point out: "Boys and girls act differently to the absence of a father. Girls experience intense separation anxiety, denial, identification with the lost parent, and a hunger for masculine attention. Boys are more likely to use drugs, commit crimes and end up in prison.

Girls without a father in the home are more likely to have lower self-esteem and to engage in sexual activity. These girls see the loss of their father as a personal rejection. They grow up without the day to day interaction with a man who is attentive and caring. Without this constant source of emotional nourishment, a girl's sense of value simply does not thrive."

If you are one of the many fathers who are there for your children, congratulations! If you are thinking you would have to be a super-dad to have much influence on your kids you can relax. Remember, the research was done on ordinary, garden variety dads like you.

Fathers, here's your personal payback: Your children will love and respect you and their mother. That is why a special day is set aside for fathers. Your children, your community, and your nation are happy to honor you and the Lord loves you for it.

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