12/12/2024
Being a volunteer in an elementary & in a middle school, working closely with boys ages 11 - 14 has caused me to be acutely aware of the effect of neglect on the part of fathers. I don't say this to condemn but as an observation I made years ago when recognizing my shortcomings as a father.
Neglect can come in many forms but I'm addressing absenteeism! Within the black community, just under 50% of children are living in a single parent home with their mothers; and the number is expected to continue to grow.
The impact on our communities is far reaching, leading to higher rates of depression and su***de among youth; greater chances of substance abuse; higher crime rates; premature sexual activity; lower levels of educational achievement; etc.
While my effort within the schools is focused on boys/young men, this failure on the part of fathers is certainly having a negative impact on girls/young women... AND the mothers of these children. Nationally, more than 18.4 million children are living without their biological father. This is an epidemic level of 23%!
The cost to the economy in dollars is more than ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS! While that's a staggering number, the cost to our society as a people and a culture is immeasurable.
And yet, there is HOPE, so be encouraged. WHAT WILL YOU DO as a father (as a man) to play a pivotal role in forging a paradigm shift in this dilemma?
The last verse in the last book of the Old Testament (Malachi 4:6) reads: "And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers..."
The time is now, for the harvest is ripe!