Second post

Alright, so here goes my second blog post:

After studying chapter 2, what weighs most heavily on my mind is the cultural differences among families around the world, but especially here in the United States. For example, there are white, black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, inter-racial, heterosexual, homosexual, and single parent homes. Those are just a few of the different family types in our country, Each one of those different family types typically has their own culture and way of parenting and living. I am not sure if there is any one that is better than the others, but I personally believe that a couple are more detrimental to the development of children (and to the health of the couple) than others.

For example, children raised in a home with only a single parent raising them typically grow up to encounter more problems in life than children raised in a home with both parents there. The same can even be said for children raised by a step-parent. No person can replace an actual parent to the fullest extent. Our textbook states that children raised in single parent homes (when compared to children raised in a home where both parents are present) tend to:

       -have higher rates of antisocial behavior, aggression, anxiety, depression, and school problems.
       -be less likely to graduate high school
       -be more likely to get involved in early sexual activity and adolescent pregnancy
       -be more likely to be the victims of abuse
       -be more likely to use illicit drugs
       -be more likely to have poorer mental and physical health

Those are some scary facts that ring true regardless of racial or cultural background. Now that isn't to say that any single parent family is going to raise juvenile delinquents. A single parent can do just as well (if not better) than some dual parent families when it comes to raising their children. I believe that it will take more work and effort on the single parents behalf, but it can be done.

I know that there are plenty of factors that can lead to a single parent family, but the main one is divorce. I really think that marriage is important and that people today do not value this institution. Divorce is often viewed as an easy way out of something that is uncomfortable. Unfortunately there are many selfish people who don't think of their of children and give up on their marriage or do things that will drive their spouse away. I'm not saying that no divorce is ever justified, but people really need to consider all of the effects that a divorce can have on other members of a family before it is decided upon or deemed as necessary.

I also believe that another family type is harmful for children, and that is the homosexual family. Same-sex couples are the heads of 754,000 families in the United States. The argument of the morality and legality of gay marriage aside, there are some unique problems that gay and lesbian families face along with the average family related problems. Gender roles are confused and blurred within gay families. There are certain things that our society expects out of men and women, but gay couples cannot fulfill those roles. There is not mother and father in a gay family. It can be confusing for the children and even for the couple themselves to figure out what responsibilities rest on which parent. Children raised in gay families are more likely to act out in school, participate in illegal/immoral behaviors, and have psychological issues later on in life. Religiously I believe homosexuality to be a sin the eyes of our Creator, and the unique negative side effects of having gay parents speak for themselves.

Most of all, the effect of families on children stood out to me most. I understand that all families are different and that all families struggle with their own issues, but I believe that a family that puts their faith and focuses in God and His teachings are more likely to have peace and love in the home. Divorce rates will lower, marital satisfaction will rise, and children will grow up to see their full potential in this life.