Note from Josh: Father Absence Crisis

A study by the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington, D.C., has clearly identified that we’re facing a father absence crisis in America.

We’re talking 18.3 million children — that’s 1 in 4 kids! — living without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home. Why is this a big deal? Here’s why:Children from single-parent families face:74% greater risk of suffering from emotional neglect
77% greater risk of being physically abused165% greater risk of experiencing significant physical neglect

I’m sharing these stats with you because they break my heart — and remind me of my own childhood abuse. 

If you know my story, then you know that my dad, the town drunk, was rarely sober. He neglected me when he was drunk, and abused me when he wasn’t. He didn’t affirm me, like a father should; he intentionally broke me. He didn’t protect me like a father should; he left me open to sexual abuse by another adult.

Friends, like me, these hurting kids will become hurting adults. 

But you and I can help to show them how deeply they are valued and loved by God. Ask God to open your eyes to this problem, and your heart to where you can get involved, with either your income or your time. The National Fatherhood Initiative is just one resource I can suggest. I love their tagline: Creating a world in which every child has a 24/7 dad.

Until the whole world knows God’s love,

Josh D. McDowell

P.S. If you haven’t read or watched my story, visit www.josh.org/undaunted.

Children from Single-Parent Families are More Likely be Victims of:a 77% greater risk of being physically abused
an 87% greater risk of being harmed by physical neglecta 165% greater risk of experiencing notable physical neglecta 74% greater risk of suffering from emotional neglect
an 80% greater risk of suffering serious injury as a result of abuseoverall, a 120% greater risk of being endangered by some type of child abuse.

(Sedlak, Andrea J. and Diane D. Broadhurst. The Third National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect: Final Report. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect. Washington, D.C., September 1996.)  (“Father Facts,” National Fatherhood Initiative, accessed November 21, 2011, )

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