Both Mothers and Fathers are Important. To those who believe the Bible there is no question as to the importance of both genders to constitute the family as God intends. However, those who are either indifferent or atheistic need other kinds of evidence. Since the ultra-feminist's movement in the 1960s, one of the mantras of these is that there is no difference in males and females. They argue incessantly that observable attitudes and desires are differences that are caused by their upbringing and environment. However, one writer recently listed about one hundred major differences; physical, hormonal, and psychological between males and females. The Bible simply states "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18). The word "meet" there simply means suitable or fitting. The fact that they are different is clearly implied by the use of this word. The two words used together "help meet" also not only imply differences, but also that both are important to having and raising offspring. In the New Testament Jesus also recognized the importance of male and female in the family relationship. He said, "Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:4-6).
We cannot over-emphasize the importance of both a husband and wife in a stable, loving, permanent relationship in raising godly, responsible children! Several more recent studies have shown some very significant benefits in this kind of relationship. Note:
- Children raised in such an atmosphere are far more stable emotionally. They exhibit far less difficulties in school, and usually will reach the expectations of the parents.
- Children raised in a loving, stable environment generally show much greater self-esteem, and are less upset by negative peer pressures.
- Such will most generally do better in educational attainment. They are also much more apt to continue their education in college or technical school.
- Children raised with loving, parental involvement generally exhibit lower levels of aggression and anti-social behavior. Overall, they are far less apt to be delinquent both as a teen-ager and adult.
- Generally, girls raised with both father and mother lovingly involved in their lives are far less inclined to be sexually active in their teens, and also to be a statistic in teen pregnancy. When we add to these benefits the obvious ones, it ought to convince the most skeptical the reasons why God chose the family avenue as His first care and concern for the human race. Since most single parent families involve a mother and her children, we need to assess the consequences. First of all, it is the surest way to a life of poverty and dependency! Occasionally we see a single parent overcome these natural obstacles, but the vast majority do not. A far higher proportion of children raised in a single-parent home go on to delinquency and even a life of crime. Many have blamed the disproportionate number of young black men in prison as racism. Today over two thirds of black children are born into single-parent families. They are simply a product of their raising, without both a mother and father. Walter Williams, a syndicated writer who is also black, often laments the fact that before WWII the black families were very loving and cohesive and they did not have to deal with the problems that blacks do today. By the time a single parent procures a living, cleans and cooks for the family, there is little time, money or energy to really interact with children who need boundaries, goals and recognition that will encourage them to be responsible, productive citizens. We simply must have stable families with a father and mother if we are to have a stable nation and world with concerned, responsible citizens.
Ed Rodgers, Forney, TX
