According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19.7 million children, more than 1 in 4, live without a father in the home. Consequently, there is a father factor in nearly all social ills facing America today. The following list was found on Fatherhood.org - many ways that children who live in a home without a father present are affected:
4 times at greater risk for poverty
More likely to have behavior problems
More likely to face abuse and neglect
More likely to go to commit crime and go to prison
More likely to abuse drugs and alcohol
Maternity Home helps!
Many of the women that have come to our maternity home do not have a relationship with their baby’s father. In fact, in some cases they are trying to get away from them because of abuse or toxic relationships. Sometimes the fathers are also struggling and could benefit from sound guidance. Additionally, some of the women didn’t have relationships with their fathers and it is very hard for them to even understand what a healthy relationship/family life looks like.
Our program works with our residents to learn about routines, care for their children, what living like a family looks like. Very frequently, unconditional love is something that is hard for them to comprehend. They haven’t experienced it.
We teach them (or remind them) that their Heavenly Father is always there for them. He loves them unconditionally. While their earthly father is not perfect, their Heavenly Father is. They are a child of God! Their baby is a child of God! He knows each and everyone of His children. He is not absent.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 1 John 3:1
You see, there is a problem in America and in the world – there is father absence problem. It’s up to you and I and organizations like Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries to continue to remind our friends, neighbors, and relatives that their Heavenly Father is always present.
(2017. U.S. Census Bureau. Data represent children living without a biological, step, or adoptive father.)