The epidemic of children growing up without fathers is not new to our culture. The breakdown of the American family has been the center of research both nationwide and here in Indiana for decades. The results of this research reveal the fact that many of our society ills are a result of children growing up fatherless:
- 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes. (U.S. D.H.H.S. Bureau of the Census)
- 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes.
- 85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes. (Center for Disease Control)
- 80% of rapist motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes. (Criminal Justice and Behavior, Vol. 14 p. 403-26)
- 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes. (National Principals Association Report on the State of High Schools)
- 70% of juveniles in state operated institutions come from fatherless homes. (U.S. Dept. of Justice, Special Report, Sept., 1988)
- 85% of all youths sitting in prisions grew up in a fatherless home. (Fulton County Georgia Jail Populations and Texas Dept. of Corrections, 1992)
- Nearly 2 of every 5 children in America do not live with their fathers. (US News and World Report, February 27, 1995)
These statistics show that children clearly benefit from positive relationships with their fathers. A father's involvement affects a child's social development, cognitive development as well as his or her academic achievement.
The needs of fatherless children are great and New Song Mission and those who are partnering with us desire to respond to those needs! New Song will soon be able to offer homes to fatherless children on a long term basis and we invite you to join us in these efforts. Together, we can bring them hope!