THE FAMILY-An Emergencyt Case!

One-Parent Households on the Increase

All over Europe this attitude has led to a rapid increase in single motherhood.  Some of these single parents are teenagers who feel that an unplanned pregnancy is not a mistake.  (Again, Satan putting those thought in these people's heads)  A few women who want to raise their child alone. Most are mothers who cohabit with the father for some time, without any plans to marry him.  Newsweek magazine ran a cover story last year on the question "The Death of Marriage?"  It stated that the percentage of live births outside marriage is increasing rapidly in Europe and that no one seems to care.  Sweden may top the list, with half of all babies there born outside marriage.  In Denmark and Norway it is close to half , and in France and England, about  1 in 3.

In the United States, two-parent families have declined dramatically  in the last few decades.  One report says:  "In 1960, . . .9 percent of all children lived in single-parent homes.  By 1990, that number had soared to 25 percent.  Today, 27.1 percent of all American children are born into single-parent homes,  a number that is on the rise.    Since 1970, the number of one-parent families has more than doubled.  The traditional family is so threatened today that it could be on the verge of extinction, say some researchers."

In countries where the Roman Catholic Church has lost much of its moral authority, single-parent families are on the increase. Fewer than half of Italian households consist of mother, father and children, and the traditional family is being replaced with childless couples and single-parent households.

The welfare system in some countries actually encourages people not to marry. (which is very wrong and not what God wants, which what he wants is more important  than any imperfect human's opinion)    Single mothers  who receive public assistance would lose it if they married.  Single mothers in Denmark get additional child-care subsidies, and in some communities, underage mothers get extra cash and have their rent paid for them.  Thus, money is involved.  Alf B. Svensson claims that  a divorce in Sweden costs the taxpayers between 250  thousand and 375 thousand dollars in subsidies, housing allowances and social assistance.

Churches of Christendom seem to do little or nothing to try to reverse this devastating trend among families.  (which means they are not true  Christians and are false to the teaching of truth)  Many pastors and clergymen are wrestling with their own family crises, thus feeling incapable of assisting others.  Some even seem to advocate divorce.  Aftonbladet of April 15, 1996 reported that pastor Steven Allen from Bradford, England, composed a special divorce ceremony, which he suggests should serve as an official act in all British churches.  "It is a service of healing to  help someone come to terms with what has happened to them.  It helps them realize that God still loves them and releases them from the hurt." (what a bunch of Bull!)

So where is the family institution heading? (Well,with Satan's help, down the toilet) Is there hope for its survival?" Can individual families preserve their unity while  under such a massive  threat?  Please consider the next article.

Next time:  THE FAMILY -A Human Necessity!  

Watchtower, 1998