This is a big stinking deal.
Across the United States, just over 33 percent of youth are fatherless. Thats more than 25 million kids.
Across the United States, just over 33 percent of youth are fatherless. Thats more than 25 million kids.
Without a dad in their lives, many of my friends are 'up against it,' right from the jump, through no fault of their own. The probable outcomes for youth in this category are sobering.
Children from fatherless homes account for:
- 63 percent of youth suicides
- 71 percent of pregnant teenagers
- 90 percent of all homeless and runaway children
- 70 percent of juveniles in state operated institutions
- 85 percent of all youth who exhibit behavior disorders
- 80 percent of rapists motivated with displaced anger
- 71 percent of all high school dropouts
- 75 percent of all adolescents in chemical abuse centers
- 85 percent of youths sitting in prison. ***
While God claims to be Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5), few of my compadres in this category take real peace or assurance from this seemingly abstract idea.
Instead, they keep showing up where we are. They put up a front, then quickly latch on to adults that show genuine interest and liking of them.
They long to be known.
They long to beat the odds.
They long to be encouraged.
They long to be seen as their best selves.
They long to be cheered for.
They long to be believed in.
Few of these youth will ever see a re-emergence and a positive re-engagement from Pops. Realistically, this is not in the cards. But they may get a mentor. They may get someone to come to their games, to ask them about school, and to include them in family events. They may get a trustworthy, interested, consistent adult in their lives. They just might get a mentor.
Having a mentor can change everything. It can turn probable statistics up on its' head. Mentors can rewrite the outcomes of youth. Just showing up, mentors can play a major role in reclaiming the potential of youth in our community. They can be a part of the Kingdom of God, really at work in the here and now.
Even more profound: BE-ing a mentor will redeem your own story.
Are you down?
***Statistics used from "Fatherless Generation: Redeeming the Story" John Sowers
