A National Emergency

Detroit resident Steve Utash was attacked by a ruthless mob of inner city young men after he accidentally struck a 10 year old child with his pickup truck.

Reports are that at least two out of ten or eleven teenage attackers have been arrested.  While little information has been released about those teens, the chances are great that the teens grew up in a home without a father. How do I know? Consider the following statistics taken from Coach Tony Dungy's web site: allprodad.com

• For the first time in history, the majority of women who are having children are doing so outside of marriage;
• Research shows that 24 million children do not live in a home with their biological fathers;
• Approximately 7 out of 10 African American children are born to unwed mothers;
• 62% of juvenile offenders grew up without a dad;

Now, does growing up in a home without a father make these youths less culpable? Absolutely not. However, while their actions are inexcusable, their behavior patterns are somewhat predictable. We have a national emergency on our hands. I'll say that again for emphasis and so that it really sinks in. Fatherlessness is a national emergency.

Its too late for either you or I to do anything about the situation in Detroit.  So what can we do about the problem? First and foremost, start with your own children.  If you are out of the home, do whatever you can to be involved in your children's lives.  They need you!  If that means making amends with their mother or their grandparents - if it means biting your tongue, apologizing, asking for forgiveness for your past mistakes, DO IT and DO IT NOW!

If you are IN THE HOME, make sure you are there mentally, psychologically, and emotionally. Don't be married to your job or your golf game! Many have climbed the ladder of success only to realize (often too late) that the ladder is up against the wrong building!  This afternoon, go home, free your schedule, and do something fun with your kids. While you are doing that, teach them an important virtue. Remember, values are primarily CAUGHT, not taught. What they see you do, that is what they will do.  Tell your child you love them and you are proud of them - not because they scored a touchdown or hit a three point shot but because of who they are as someone made in God's image.

Consider mentoring or becoming a Big Brother to a fatherless child.  http://www.bbbscharlotte.org. Chances are you know some kid who is fatherless. Invite them over. Take them fishing, hiking or camping. Take that child to a ball game.  Remember the orphans!    

SHARE this blog. The more we talk about this crucial issue, the more awareness of the problem will spread.