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New Study Estimates Monetary Amount Divorces, and Single Parenting Cost America
By Julie | April 16, 2008
Yesterday I stumbled across an article discussing the dollar amount divorces and un-wed parenting costs America. Before I read it, I was stunned for a second, thinking our culture dumps a lot of money into researching absolutely everything these days. What’s next, a study done at Easter to determine if the eating of Peeps brings people closer to God? (Only the pink ones, Man!)
This new, groundbreaking study was “commissioned by four groups advocating more government action to bolster marriages.” And how much are divorces and single parenting costing American’s? Billions.
From the article…
The study was conducted by Georgia State University economist Ben Scafidi. His work was sponsored by four groups who consider themselves part of a nationwide “marriage movement” - the New York-based Institute for American Values, the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, Families Northwest of Redmond, Washington, and the Georgia Family Council, an ally of the conservative ministry Focus on the Family.Scafidi’s calculations were based on the assumption that households headed by a single female have relatively high poverty rates, leading to higher spending on welfare, healthcare, criminal justice and education for those raised in the disadvantaged homes. The $112 billion estimate includes the cost of federal, state and local government programs, and lost tax revenue at all levels of government. Reducing these costs, Scafidi said, “is a legitimate concern of government, policymakers and legislators.”
The groups who funded the study determined the best way to fix the high price tag is for the government to adopt programs that will help strengthen marriages. This, of course, is met with all kinds of criticism. I can see good points on both sides. But here are a couple concerns I have:
1. I have seen some nasty, mean marriages, where one person’s only delight in life is the torturing of their spouse. Sometimes both spouses equally enjoy this sport. In those situations, what is the incentive to stay forever? And, what would be the burden on the child, or children being raised in such a marriage? Would they grow up to behave in the manner demonstrated by their parents? If so, would their lives be better if they were raised in a single parent household?
2. The majority of people in this country do not see pre-marital sex as a problem, and frankly, for some, sex is recreation. This idea won’t necessarily change just because we start pumping federal dollars into the strengthening of America’s marriages, or the concept of it. If casual sex is still an American pastime, unwanted pregnancies will continue to happen. Furthermore, the person who suggests we try to use federal dollars to educate people on the dangers of casual sex will find themselves in war, as their opposition screams, “You’re just Christian, and you’re trying to force your views on us!” Then, they’ll start handing out condoms to everyone.
3. Abortion is a major hot issue in this country. One side complains about the high rate of abortion, while the other side says they get to decide their reproduction rights. But, if we, as a nation, are paying taxes to help single parents, then we are helping women who do not want to abort their babies. For me, this makes paying taxes a small price to pay. If collectively as a nation, we pay billions for the cause I’d rather the money go to the families in this countries than for funding a war. I would hate to pump more money into marriage incentive programs, if the goal of those programs is to take money from existing programs that help unwed mothers. In the future, if these programs were no longer available, would abortion rates skyrocket if women were left with no help? We won’t see positive change if we help one side, only the hurt of another.
I do think programs to help strengthen marriage would be good; our country is desperately in need of something that would help. But, before they can be proven to do any good, they will be met with a lot of controversy. Controversy isn’t bad, as long as we don’t hurt the people who are currently being helped, or find themselves in need.
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