Fatherlessness is destroying our families, our homes, and our societies

By Andrew Coakley

https://drewfiles.wixsite.com/mysite

While doing research for my latest book “How daddy issues can become God issues”, I came across some information that shook me to my core.

The information? Between 60-70 percent of homes in the Western World are ran (overseen) by women. I know, that’s information that should be common knowledge. Som

e people believe that the numbers are higher, but let’s be generous. However, after I thought about it, I realized that I should not have been surprised over the discovery of such information, because as a former Journalist, I have seen those numbers in live out on a regular basis. The truth of that information is all around us.

Fatherlessness has become our way of life. Something we have accepted as the norm and the world hears those statistics, takes a collective sigh, and moves on. In a documentary movie called “irreplaceable” it was noted that if fatherlessness was a disease, it would be one of epidemic proportions and one worthy of national attention. However, such matters fall way down the list of things to really care about these days.

The issue of fatherlessness is shrouded by bigger national issues like high crime, inflation, mass shootings, rape, human trafficking, cyber bullying, unemployment and so much more. No doubt, these issues are worthy of much attention by the powers that be. But, for one minute, consider the fact that most of these national issues can trace their roots to fatherlessness.

That’s a hard pill to swallow.

According to articles in Psychology Today, researchers have found that the results of father absence on children are nothing short of disastrous. Here are some of the results:

· Fatherless children have more difficulties with social adjustment and are more likely to have problems with friendships and manifest behavior problems.

· Fatherless children are more likely to experience problems with sexual health, including a greater likelihood of having intercourse before the age of 16.

· Seventy-one percent of high school drop-outs are fatherless.

· Eighty-five percent of youth in prison have an absent father and fatherless children are more likely to offend and go to jail as adults.

· Over 70 percent of all adolescent patients in drug and alcohol treatment centers originate from homes without fathers.

Is it fair to assume that all of the above-mentioned end-results of fatherlessness presently play themselves out in our society?

Dr. Gabriella Gobbi, who conducted a study with colleagues at the medical facility at McGill University in Canada, noted that growing up without a father could permanently alter the structure of the brain and produce children who are more aggressive and angrier. She added that children brought up only by a single mother have a higher risk of developing ‘deviant behavior’, including drug abuse.

Now, before you single mothers out there begin picking up rocks to stone me, let me quickly point out that there is always an exception to the rule. I say this because I know that there are single mothers who have successfully parented children who have gone on to become contributing people in society, having achieved success in academics, economics, and business.

However, the exception to the rule is simply that – an exception. The norm far outweighs the exception. Growing up as a child without a father, not only can I bear witness to the struggles my mom faced as a single parent, but I know firsthand of the psychological, mental and emotional beatdown that can take place in your mind on a daily basis.

As the number of fatherless homes in our nation continues to rise each year, it should be pointed out that this issue of fatherlessness is not a coincidence. I believe that fatherlessness is a well-crafted, well executed plan of the enemy of our souls, the devil himself.

It’s a part of his bigger plan which plays out in our societies every day. I will dive more into this in my next piece tomorrow. Stay tuned.

As we prepare to celebrate Father’s Day this coming Sunday, let us remember that there are millions of children out there who will grow up fatherless. Let us pray earnestly for them.