by Michelle B. Smith

Created on: July 21, 2009

The better question to ponder is "with the lack of stable marriages, is this what will ultimately be the reason behind our extinction?" While extinction is such a harsh term to use, the lack of stable marriages is leading to a national epidemic of teenage parents, uncared for youth, and a nation full of undereducated citizens who will have difficulty continuing this great country.

Marriage is defined as a legal or religious ceremony to recognize the decision between a man and a woman to live as husband and wife. The lack of this great union today has caused drastic changes in our country. One may ask, "Why is the success of someone's marriage relevant to society as a whole?" It is true that everyone has their own personal issues such as marriage to handle on their own. However, when debating the topic of the relevance of marriage one must look at the bigger picture. A major purpose of marriage is to procreate and begin a family. These children who are the products of a marriage are the future of this country. Children from broken homes lacking solid marriages are affecting every aspect of our nation. While no one will argue that certifiably a married couple can raise a child better than a single parent or unwed couple, statistically children greatly benefit from an intact familial unit.

With two married parents, a child has more educational and financial opportunities than that of a child in a single parent home. Statistically, children who are in single parent homes or a child of divorce are at risk. Nearly 2 of every 5 children in America do not live with their fathers[i]. Many researchers believe that this is the reason behind what is plaguing our country today. 63% of youth suicides are committed by adolescents from a fatherless home[ii]. 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes[iii]. More startling is the fact that 70% of juveniles in state operated institutions[iv] and 80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes[v]. These statistics are very telling. We as a nation have neglected the fact that children without married parents are not just possibly lacking love or the presence of their fathers, but are at risk for either hurting themselves or hurting others.

While marriage is not for everyone, we cannot allow ourselves to be living examples for youth if we decide to live out of wedlock or have children willingly as if there is no consequence. Performing many years of community service with at risk youth,

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