Recently I have been looking into world religion and other cultures outside of the United States. With so many people in our society, it is obvious that the values in our family structure has changed. What made me look at our society closer, was merely from observing other countries. Such as, in different countries in Africa, the larger your family is the wealthier you are. Literally. Why? Because you have more bodies to work, more skills and talents to pass down, more opportunity for expansion. But I also look at it in a figurative light as well. Let’s repeat it: The larger your family, the wealthier you are. If families in America thought like this we wouldn’t have as many broken homes that we have. If we didn’t have so many broken homes, there may be more job opportunity.
According to worldimpact.org
“Inner-city children increasingly grow up in broken households. Fractured and incomplete families perpetuate physical and spiritual poverty. The root cause of poverty and income disparity is undeniably linked to broken family structures. Children growing up in poor, broken households in inner-city America are increasingly exposed to child abuse, teenage pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse, gang participation, and incarceration. They are also at a higher risk of having broken families of their own. Our nation’s inner cities are in need of intact, whole families.
The American family structure is disintegrating. In 1950, 12 percent of children born in the United States entered into a broken family lacking either a biological mother or father. By 2000, this number had jumped to 60 percent of all children. Unfortunately, the frequency and density of broken families dramatically increases in the impoverished environments of our inner cities. Poor, broken families produce people who are more likely to experience relational and financial poverty as well.”
Unfortunately we have grown into a desensitized society that finds it easier to give up than to put the work in. Whether it be building our families closer or training our employees.
One of the top reasons why people are unhappy with their workplace is because they are either overworked, underpaid or both. The popular reason why people end their relationships or are unfaithful is because they may feel unappreciated or that something is missing. Now I am not advising to settle for an unsatisfying job or relationship but I say those things to say we need to stop giving up and put the work in. Just like it looks bad to have a booklet of past employers, it can also be a turn off if you’re seen as being a “love hopper.” Love hopper meaning you hop from one relationship to the next, when in fact one of those from the past could’ve worked out or you could’ve saved time and feelings and just remained friends instead of getting deeper.
Indystar.com also has something to say about this:
“Utah Sen. Mike Lee noted in speeches at the Heritage Foundation, “the problem of poverty is linked to family breakdown and the erosion of marriage among low-income families and communities.” Lee is careful not to cast opprobrium on single or divorced parents. But he insists on pointing to the uncomfortable but undeniable fact that economic outcomes for their children have been far worse than those for children raised in two-parent families. That produces many personal tragedies. And in cold economic terms, it means that society is losing gross domestic product because of less than optimal development of human capital. Government policy can’t force people to get or stay married. But it may be able to encourage them to do so.”
My request: Can we work on remolding our families in America? Can we learn to see the wealth we are birthing every day? Can we teach our youth morals, values, patience and the importance of childhood? Oh what a joy it would be to be a child again, it’s so much simpler. But our youth wants to grow up so fast and they aren’t ready. Can we bring our families close and strong? Some of you have so many talents in your family, but your ego is so in the way that you don’t realize you are sitting on an empire. Appreciate the family you were born into. Something about it you don’t like? Change it.
thewirehangerbywinnie.com 
Love it because very true we many families effecting our job opportunities. I love this article because we be the change we want to see in our families. I know their have been many times when I had looked at my family wanted to give up hope but this article assuring me that I should continue to mend my family.
Love this article very true many families opportunties to succeed and be successful are effected by lack of unity within the home. Being a person who’s home was at time was a unity I know the effect it could have on the child way of look at their future. But I was fortunate to have a mother who showed me better that I can have the ideal family that is displayed. This article has also encouraged me to continue to work towards changing my family curren situation and making us more of unit. I thank you for writing this article it’s been very help sharing it now.
I do think that broken families are a big issue and it does need to be looked at. I think the bigger issue is the cycle of younger and younger parents and the education system in inner cities (and rural area schools) being essentially broken. What causes a teenage mother though? I agree, a broken home. These young girls don’t have either of their parents being a strong positive influence. I work in a hotel downtown and I can’t tell you how many times I have seen a parent rent out a room for 13-14 year old kids to throw a party in and then just leaves them there! It is very awkward breaking up a teenage sex party. Then, since they are minors, we have to track down the parents with the police and that takes HOURS. So, here are these kids, no parents. If they just had one person, mom or dad, saying “No, don’t do that.” or a parent willing to even just answer the phone, I am pretty sure they wouldn’t be found in that hotel room.
Anyway, I don’t necessarily believe that having two parents is necessary. One good parent will impact the child. Problem is, when you have a kid at 15 or 16, YOU’RE still a child yourself. Then you get to your early 20’s and some think, “I will go out anyway.” Leaving the child alone to have naughty parties in hotels and the cycle repeats.
So, children aren’t getting the parental support they need. They aren’t being taught to be self-sufficient. They aren’t being taught how to handle their finances. They are learning from the media (not the best of teachers). Mostly what girls learn is the only thing that matters is the way you look and you just need to go find a basketball player or rapper to hook up with. Boys are being taught women are just sex objects. That’s why reality shows make me so MAD. VH1, MTV, and BET are the channels that come to mind mostly. You have those skanky dressed women screaming at each other with crazy attitudes and young girls are seeing this and are wanting to be that. I guess the thing that makes me so mad is, as a woman trying to start her own business, there is a stigma that I am too emotional to do this. Women came a long way, fought super hard in the 70’s all the way up to now to have equal rights and the fact we aren’t outraged at shows like Bad Girls Club show us as dumb, slutty, emotional wrecks. Rap and rock music video’s are the same way. You may think, well that isn’t me. Some CEO or HR person may use that as their stereotype though. I don’t know, it just feels like an uphill battle, though 2014 is better time to be a woman than all the rest of history.
I have completely gotten off topic. I do truly believe the basis of a great society starts with the women though. Generally women are the single parent, they are the ones teaching their daughters what to accept in a relationship and their sons how to treat women. If we get to young girls and teach them to respect themselves, that’s when you will see a great change in not just inner cities, but every socioeconomic level you can think of. I think a good idea to promote change would be to go into these economically depressed areas and start after school programs that specifically focus on increasing girls and boys self esteem.
Wow. Storm you made a great point. I def understand the frustration about young girls becoming mothers. I had my son at 17. That is not a norm in my family. But I was raised by a single hard working mother and I became more influenced by peer pressure and media. Did I know right from wrong? Yes. But more importantly at the time I wanted to fit in. That’s what inspired me to start this blog. So many blogs speak on entertainment and fashion. But I want to build hope and confidence in our youth so decisions aren’t irrationally made. I want young men and women to read my posts and understand one another better. I want people to remember that respect is important. But I loved everything you said. 2014 is our year and we need to use each moment to build each other instead of shaking our heads.
This topic is a very sensitive one however I believe it needs to be addressed more often in different settings. I agree that the lack of family structure has a negative affect on human capital. It will take the media, the church, the government, and the individual to change this. I pray for a change soon because we are supposed to be getting better as a species but I honestly feel like we are getting worst.
Yes we def need a lot of powerful individuals to come together. It def isn’t where it should be (family structures). I always try to be positive and do what I can. A little goes a long way