Family Archives - Page 15 of 20

Influence from the Pulpit

by HOMEDNA on 02/02/2012

Statistics show fewer people are marrying, contributing to an increase in fatherless homes.

Historically, Americans relied on religious leaders to guide lifestyle choices and behavior. Some churches have recently reasserted themselves in the area of fatherhood, urging men to step up to their fatherly responsibilities. There is an interesting YouTube video related to this trend. The video shows an interview with three people who came from homes with absent fathers. Each of the interviewees has made it their life’s goal to not allow this to happen to the children in their lives, whether they are biologically linked or not.

This series is fascinating because these individuals have turned past hurt into a motivator to help others avoid the same hurt. These are stories of people striving for a better outcome.

*Posting this video or blog is not a reflection of support for any organization or individual; it is for informative purposes only.

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Teen Pregnancy: One Family’s Experience

by HOMEDNA on 01/30/2012

Many reading this might be parenting a teenager, and others have already been through the experience or are looking forward to this milestone. There are many choices that parents make when setting relationship boundaries for their children .

It is always interesting to hear real stories of parents who thought they were doing everything right and then are ‘blindsided’ when their teen informs them of a pregnancy. Bishop T.D. Jakes, pastor of a Dallas mega-church, has shared his memories of the time that his 14-year-old daughter came to him with the shocking news she was going to have a baby. What this story revealed to America was that it can happen to anyone, even when traditional values are preached every day. This story is an encouraging one for parents who are faced with this difficult situation.

Bishop Jakes’ daughter defied the odds by raising her child as a single mother, graduating college and later marrying. When asked what she would tell her son about her story, she said that she would be honest and communicate the blessing he was to her life but also describe that having a child as a teenager definitely made life more difficult. She would also add that if he waited, he could have ‘everything in life at its right time.”

Bishop Jakes and his daughter evade the question of involvement by the biological father.

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Father Involvement Key to Children’s Success

by HOMEDNA on 12/22/2011

The research and statistics about the impact on a child’s life from not having an involved father are plentiful. Too often, children raised without a father repeat the cycle for the next generation.

Researchers and father-advocates believe father involvement needs to start as early as birth and especially before age 5 for the cycle to begin to break. Early in development, children also benefit from a ‘village’: Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, clergy, teachers, doctors, health professionals, and school staff can supplement parental support and become positive role models and mentors for this generation and those to come.

The National Center for Fathering conducted a study in 1999 and then again in 2009 concerning the role and attitudes of fathers in America. The study revealed that 7 of every 10 Americans surveyed agreed that physical absence of the father was “the most significant family or social problem facing America.” In addition, 97% of those surveyed said that fathers should be more involved in their child’s education.

A good sign of significant progress was noted from the first research study to the next, including the following increases:

+6%: Most fathers know what’s going on in their children’s lives

+13%: Employers recognize the strain fathers face between the demands of family and the demands of work

+19%: Dads are eating one or more meals with their family each day

As we know and as research has supported, having a father in the home is a major key to a child’s success. The National Center for Fathering website at Fathers.com has many resources for all types of fathers. Whether your an adoptive father, single father, at-home dad or a traditional father, you can find tips and advice on how to become a better father for your children here.

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