I don't think we can totally dismiss the importance of a funcitoning two-parent family so easily. Yes, ladygreek makes an excellent point, but we need to keep in mind that a father (or father-like figure) is very important to the life of a child, both a boy and especially for a girl.
A father is the first and most influencial image of a man that a young child (especially a girl) will see. He has the power to shape her entire view of men, love, relationships, self esteem, etc. that will affect her as she grows and most likely even throughout adulthood. If there is no functioning father figure in the home, she will seek that male attention from somewhere in some form (sex, unwanted pregnancy, multiple partners, etc.).
I agree with AXEAM. While I don't condone people getting married just to say "hey, I'm married" - I think its painfully obvious that over the last 30 years, as the "Black Family" has erroded (going from "the norm"
to the exception
) so have our communities and even the mindset of those generations that have followed.
I mean, when you have girls in high school that look forward to having or throwing a baby shower while in high school - something is up!
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