- Recent surveys show that 25% of unmarried women become mothers and births out of wedlock have increased 60% over the past decade. The author argues this is wrong and children deserve to be raised by married parents. - The author discusses how modern families have changed, with both parents often working and spending less time together and with their children. This has negatively impacted family relationships and child development. - Studies show that marriage and living with two parents is closely linked with better health, lower mortality, and other benefits compared to living with only one parent or without parents. The author advocates for strengthening family bonds and spending dedicated family time together.

1. The Fall of the Family
Recent surveys show that 25% of Jacob Stern
unmarried women become
mothers, and that over just the
past decade the births out of
wedlock have increased by 60%.
This is totally wrong; no child
should be put through the The Family in Jeopardy
experience of having only one
A boy comes home from school. His mom asks how his day was, hoping for the beginning of a
parent or being born outside the
conversation where they can discuss things in a comfortable setting, but as always, is disappointed.
sacred ordinance of marriage.
He grabs some chips out of the cupboard, and sits down in front of the TV. “Mom?” he yells. She
again is hopeful, but again is frustrated, for the only thing he will talk to her for is to ask for a soda.
Children don’t deserve to live a life
filled with turmoil from young She reflects on family as it was as she was a child, the fundamental unit of society, the place where
parents who don’t know how to children learned from a tender age moral values that would guide them throughout their lives. Then
properly care for their children, she thinks of how home is now merely a place to sleep and play video games, she no more than a
who are even still restricted by the convenience for personal needs and a source for money. She considers herself, who didn’t teach
bonds of childhood. A family can’t her kids to read, and regretfully of how she no longer urged them into participation in family dinners.
properly function when the parents That in some families both parents work, so they can afford that more expensive car, that vacation to
can barely drive, can barely put Tahiti, rather than spending time with each other, nourishing relationships, conversing with mutual
food on the table. love and deep caring. The purpose of the family had been lost.
Many studies show that marriage and In our family, we have recently implemented a time allotment one day of the week
membership in a two parent family are centered solely on spending time together as a family. At first it was met by
closely linked to good health and lower death reluctance, but gradually the view of everyone has shifted from that of reticence and
rate, much better than those of someone who boredom to one of excitement and anticipation. The older kids enjoy helping the
is divorced, single or lives in a one parent younger ones, and everyone learns something, whether from the lesson or
family. It has even been proven that it otherwise. Once the lesson is complete, we begin an activity that — even though it
contributes to your health more than age, may not be thought of as age appropriate for the older kids — again, everyone
income, or education! Quoting The Family: a enjoys, whether it is animal charades, hide and seek, or basketball on our mini
Proclamation to the World, “Husband and hoop in the basement. It is concluded with a song, a family prayer, and delicious
wife have a solemn responsibility to care for refreshments. For any Christian denomination, prayer can be a wonderful outlet for
each other and their children.” No matter how feelings, and a time of family bonding.
things go, they must honor marital vows with
If this small allotment of time each week were to be given a chance in every home,
complete fidelity; without parents with total
the world would be happier, more peaceful, place where society was more humane.
respect for each other, children will always
Many children — and parents for that matter — would have less inclination to turn to
have to live in fear of their parents fighting
drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances. Overall, this small part of the week
and under the stress and sadness of a
has the power to totally change the world for the good.
divided family.