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The Price of Broken Families in Society

Submitted by Reneé LaSalle on April 16, 2008 - 7:22pm. News | Faith & Family

A new report finds that last year alone family fragmentation cost $112 Billion in the United States.

Now a local organization is trying to battle those numbers to save families.

Anovia Braden - Single Parent, "I live paycheck to paycheck and some days are more difficult than others, but we manage."

Anovia Braden is telling a familiar story for many single parents in Tennessee. Divorced after three years of marriage she says the finical impact, child support issues, and even health care concerns hurt the most.

"(Braden) It affects everybody, it affects family. It put a strain on my mother when I had to move back in with her."

The Institute for American Values says last year through Medicaid and other expenses Tennessee taxpayers paid $757 Million for Family Fragmentation.

Julie Baumgardner - First Things First, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Its less painful, less costly in so many ways much better for people."

Julie Baumgardner and the First Things First organization say this report serves as a wakeup call.

"(Baumgardner) When people talk about being concerned about education, about healthcare costs, about economic development, about homelessness in our community, the root of all of this is what's happening in our homes."

First Things First is calling on businesses, churches, faith-based organizations, and families to bolster strong families ties. Baumgardner says this report isn't a slam on divorced people and single parents, but it a sign that something has to be done.

"(Baumgardner) For a long time people have said, 'you know, what happens in my bedroom, what happens in my home is my business.' Clearly with this report and with the other research we have it indicates it isn't a private affair. It impacts all of us in many ways including the pocket book."

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Please.

Submitted by Bethy (not verified) on April 19, 2008 - 9:28pm.

Who says because I'm one of the people getting spit on in this article by not being part of a mom+dad+kid family, that I take from others? I earn my money, pay my own way, and DONT mooch of the government. (I also give to an international relief agency when I am able, so this brother's keeper bit can only go so far.)

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Not a Slam?

Submitted by Bethy (not verified) on April 19, 2008 - 9:17pm.

I beg to differ. There is nothing in this article but a one-sided view. Some of us just don't have it "that good" no matter how hard we try. Shame on First things First. (May as well call it "Whole Families First")

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The price of broken families in society

Submitted by abigd (not verified) on April 16, 2008 - 10:54pm.

When God came looking for Abel, He asked Cain and Cain said "Am I my brothers keeper?"

I think the answer is "yes"!

Since we must all cooperate to function in this world, all our actions or lack thereof effect those around us.

My net take home is below 50% because I put money aside for charity, for taxes (that provide for those less able to do so than I), for my own care (insurances). So I am taking care of myself as well as others. This means that in effect I am my brothers keeper.

Once we become use to accepting help from another, we become obligated to follow anothers choice for what is done (health care, education, where we live). I prefer to make my own choices but if someone else was paying for these benefits, I would be forced to let them choose for me.

We are our brothers keeper and if we are kept we are less free to choose.

At some point there will be too few putting meat into the pot compared to those taking out of the pot. When this happens, what will we do?

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