Family. Nothing provides more stability, economically and emotionally, to our society. In the 50s, 78% of black households were headed by married two-parent homes. Today, less than 30% are, and it’s killing us…literally. We need healthy marriages and families.
Family is the foundation of neighborhoods, communities, cities and nations. Commitment to stay together as husband and wife, and communication to keep the lines of discussion open between parents and children are vital keys that strengthen families.
Maintaining a healthy marriage and parenting by example provide a rich family environment for children that guards against teen pregnancy and abortion. Being together and staying married for the children’s sake helps children to make wise decisions for their lives, including the decision to remain abstinent until marriage.
The Institute for Youth Development www.youthdevelopment.org published research from the National longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), examining the role of children’s connectedness to parents and avoidance of unhealthy risk behavior. It reports on family structure using the following categories: two biological parents or adoptive parents; biological mom and step dad; biological dad and step mom; single mom; single dad; and surrogate parent.
This study found that adolescents living with two biological or adoptive parents are least likely to engage in sexual intercourse. Those living with surrogate parents are more likely to experiment sexually. The next family structure where kids are most likely to have sex are adolescents who live with a single dad and those who live with a biological mom and step dad. Children living with a single mom and those living with a biological dad and step mom are the next family groups where children are more likely to have sex.
Just because children are raised in single-parent homes does not automatically mean they will be sexually active. It does mean that these parents will have to guard against any influence that negatively impacts their children by living out what they believe—modeling the value of saving sex until marriage. Modeling in the home is a strong conveyor of sex-role information. And parents are the single most important models in their children’s lives.
