The Fatherless Epidemic

By Joel García.

Fathers matter in the development of their children. So what is fatherlessness anyway? Fatherlessness is simply the absence of a father’s influence in the lives of their children. Fatherlessness ranges from mere absenteeism, neglect or ineptness to parent effectively. For example, it has been discovered that when a father leads the way spiritually that 93% of family members are likely to follow him, as opposed to only 34% of family members when a mother attempts to take the same spiritual role. This is a significant finding and confirms the role, authority and influence a father possesses over his family. Fathers in the Field, an organization dedicated to mentoring fatherless boys claims, “Some 24 million boys are growing up fatherless in America – Nearly a third of all American children are born to unmarried parents; the numbers are even higher among poor, minority populations – 40% among Hispanics, and 70% among African-Americans.” As you can see fatherlessness is rising among Hispanics and consuming the African-American community. Unless we get serious about this cultural epidemic, fatherlessness will continue to disrupt the family and devastate communities, perhaps even bring our culture to its demise.

Dr. Leonard Sax, author of Boys Adrift notes, “Enduring cultures have strong bonds across the generations. In contemporary American culture, we’re seeing those bonds dissolve rapidly, in the span of a single lifetime.” Dr. Sax is referring to the generational bonds between grandfathers, fathers and sons. This trend of generational disconnect in our society is showing significant signs of cultural decline. The following statistics should alarm you:

1. Fatherless children commit 72% of adolescent murders.
2. 70% of juveniles in reform institutions are fatherless.
3. 67% of state prison inmates come from fatherless homes.
4. 60% of rapists come from fatherless homes.
5. 30% more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.
6. Fatherless children are twice as likely to drop out of school.
7. And, 11 times more likely to exhibit violent behavior at school.

It is for these reasons and other unseen factors that we should pay more attention to the fatherlessness issue in our society, but just how do we begin to address this epidemic? Dr. Sax provides the following insight, “To become a man, a boy must see a man. But that man doesn’t have to be his father. In fact, ideally, it shouldn’t be only his father. Even if your son has a strong father or father figure in his life, he also needs a community of men who together can provide him with the varied models of what productive adult men do.” So where do we find this “community of men”? Many high profile athletes who were considered “role models” have abdicated their leadership role in the area of providing the leadership to inspire a generation of young boys by scandals of infidelity, drug exposures and boyish antics on public television for all to see. These examples of fallen heroes and others from admired professions force us to turn somewhere else for answers. Pat Williams, author of The Warrior Within points the way by offering sage advice mixed with the eternal wisdom of C.S. Lewis, “’Fatherhood must be at the core of the universe’ because the Creator of the universe is Himself a Father.” From personal experience as a minister for the past sixteen years I’ve come to the conclusion that fatherlessness is more of a spiritual issue than a “role model” solution. The Prophet Malachi was correct when he penned the last few sentences of the Old Testament:

See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.
(Malachi 4:5, 6 – NKJV)

This passage initially referred to John the Baptist (and those throughout history and today who possess this kind of Spirit) who gathered the flock of Israel through a call of personal repentance, demanding the people to turn away from their sins and be reconciled to their Heavenly Father. Only when fathers align their lives with “the Creator of the universe” can they properly begin to align, and make peace across generational lines to restore the intimacy required to transform boys to men. Therefore, the “community of men” Dr. Sax alludes to are the spiritual fathers who gather each week in houses of worship. It’s the “faith community” we must turn to for guidance. A great example is Paul, the great apostle of the first century, who penned these words in 1 Corinthians 4:15:

Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. (NIV)

Paul considered himself a spiritual father to the new converts living in Corinth. In this passage he uses the word “guardians” to reveal the type of individuals responsible for mentoring this group prior to his arrival in Corinth. The word guardian means “A guide of boys, [and] among the Greeks and the Romans the name was applied to trustworthy slaves who were charged with the duty of supervising the life and morals of boys belonging to the better class.” In Paul’s view this role was insufficient to transform boys to men. There’s a vast difference between one who “guides boys” and a “spiritual father”. The former are merely tutors boys concerning essential life disciplines in the absence of fathers while the latter reveals a son’s true identity and destiny, and develops the character of godliness to sustain and make him successful through life.

You too can make a difference in the life of one youth through your involvement, love and the mentoring moments you share with him or her.

Joel Garcia, an ordained minister with the Evangelical Church Alliance, recently completed his Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis on executive coaching and mentoring from Regent University. These are some great organizations who are making a difference among fatherless youth:
Fathers in the Field
Team Focus

Footnotes:
1. Sax, Leonard, M.D., Ph.D. (2007) Boys Adrift. Basic Books: New York, NY. pg. 204-205.
2. Williams, Pat (2006) The Warrior Within. Regal Books: Ventura, CA. pg. 34.
3. Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for paidagōgos (Strong’s 3807)”. 1996-2010. 24 Jan 2010. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G3807&t=NIV > <http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3807&amp;t=NIV>

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