No, it’s not him…
The real billionaire you should be angry at has no remorse for any of his actions. He’s wicked. He’s nasty. He’s mean. If you haven’t guessed by now, he leaves a real bad taste in my mouth. The real culprit is Fatherlessness.
In 2008, the National Fatherhood Initiative estimated the cost of father-absent homes, on taxpayers, to be roughly $100 Billion smackers. Ouch! That was in 2008. It’s 2016.
How much do you think that number has risen? (#TakeAWildGuess)
Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. However, that alone should make you flinch.
Fatherlessness is an epidemic. It’s the #1 killer of our families and it’s costing us all.
It’s not just hitting our pockets either. Yes, that is critical, but the indirect costs multiply 5 to 10 times greater. The impact of a fatherless home can last for generations.
Think about a son that grows up lacking a positive, consistent male role model. He becomes angry and bitter. Depressed and hopeless. Most of his world is dark because everyone avoids him like the plague, or refuses to give him a light to shine on his circumstance. What happens when that son becomes a man? Often, he will remain lost; fearing anyone cares or understands his situation. The result? He will cry out in violence to silence the voices that haunt him.
Or how about the daughter who never gets validated by her daddy. She’s “Daddy Lil Problem”, not his princess. What happens as she develops? She rejects genuine love. She screams for self-worth through social media, sex, and other pleasures. The result? She mourns as the masses cheer her on and exploit her innocence.
My father left when I was 7 and it was painful. I didn’t get it. Even when I did see him, it didn’t seem real most times. It didn’t feel genuine. I had all these questions and rarely got any answers. Promises were made but very rarely kept. I heard more conversations (really complaints) about paying $150 in child support than issues around my identity or emotions. My father’s inability to “see me” had a damaging impact on me well into my 20’s.
Who is to blame? Who gets the righteous finger point? I blame Fatherlessness. For too long, Fatherlessness has been an eyeroll, barbershop whisper, or some late night joke.
He’s no joke and we need to take him seriously. He’s been on a mission and he has been quite successful.
The numbers as they say…don’t lie! Here is a chart from the U.S. Census Bureau on children living in Father-Absent Homes.
Since the 1960’s in America, single mother-homes have risen, poverty has increased, education has diminished, and we barely batted an eye.
The thought of how rich Fatherlessness has gotten makes me sick. He doesn’t give back. He doesn’t inspire. He doesn’t contribute. He just takes. He takes what he wants, and what he wants is all of it. If you and I don’t do something, he will get more.
All Hope is not lost. We have plenty to be excited about!
For starters, I know God is greater than any circumstance and He truly has the finally say. Fatherlessness is no match for the Ultimate Father. I acknowledge the countless men and women standing firm to take back what has been stolen. People like Tony Dungy, Kenneth Braswell, & Dr. Tony Evans. Efforts such as the Life of Dad, The Good Dad Project, and AllProDad that provide resources and support to change this epidemic.
In the immortal words of Luke Skywalker, a man who had his own “daddy issues”…
“Fatherlessness, This is your last chance; free us or die!”
What do you want to say to Fatherlessness today?