Vol. 2, No. 2
June 1999

Perspectives

Number of unmarried adults grew from 28.3% of U.S. population in 1970 to 39.7% in 1996, according to report last year by the Economics and Statistics Administration. The number of never-married among Whites increased from 16% to 21%; Blacks, 21% to 39%; Hispanics 19% to 30%. Median age at first marriage in 1996 was 27.1 years for men; 24.8 years for women. Current Population Reports, U.S. Department of Commerce

More children live with one parent, according to the same report. The proportion of children under age 18 living with one parent grew from 12% in 1970 to 28% in 1996. By racial group, the report says 22% of White children, 57 % of Black children and 32% of Hispanic children live with only one parent. Overall, a child in a single-parent situation in 1996 was as likely to live with a never-married parent (36%) as with a parent who was divorced (37%).

Young adults reflect neo-traditionalism that may signal the second coming of family values. Generation Y (ages 18 to 24) seems to have more conservative sexual values, per an article in American Demographics, February 1999. This group is more likely to think mothers should be home with children and also believe sex outside of marriage is wrong. Current Thoughts and Trends, May 12, 1999

Bankruptcy often follows divorce. An article in Knight Ridder newspapers cites 1.2 million divorces and 1.4 million bankruptcies yearly. Financial disaster seems to follow divorce by about three years as parents often try to provide children with the same living standards as before—and it doesn’t work. Money problems seem to contribute to marriage breakup in about half the cases. Divorce or separation is the fourth most common reason borrowers seek debt relief. Belleville News-Democrat, Sept. 27, 1998

Like losing two years—Study by President’s Council of Economic Advisors showed families today spend an average of 22 fewer hours a week together compared to 30 years ago. During a childhood, that amounts to two years less time that parents spend with their children. Statistics were within a story on using unemployment funds for paid parental leaves. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 24, 1999.

Ministry

Top 6 ways congregations can support families, as cited by participants in 30 "Healthy Congregations: Healthy Families" workshops held last fall and winter by Lutheran Family Association: • marriage support (retreats, classes) • mark milestones like baptism, birthdays or confirmation dates to involve family • hold inter-generational events • make family ministry a priority • parenting help (seminars, workshops) • mentor families.

What do healthy families do? Participants in the workshops (above), offered thoughts on that question. Here are the top six: • Family devotions and prayer • open, positive communication • schedule quality "we" time • worship together at church • develop traditions • encouragement and laughter.

Several family ministry projects are on the agenda for LCMS Department of Family Ministry. Some are new; some combine existing services. Watch for • an up-dated family ministry web site in cooperation with LFA and CPH • a speaker data-base, models and networking on that web site • a booklet series on family topics • revised Marriage Enrichment training • quarterly newsletter for district leaders and • district team training. Projects grew out of a "think tank" last fall that identified 29 separate LCMS organizations and departments providing family resources. LCMS Reporter, May 1999

Parents look to church for help—Nearly two-thirds of parents (63%) say their church should take on an increased role in assisting parents, according to the Barna Research Organization. Nearly 3 out of 10 parents (28%) indicated that their church should be much more involved in providing help for parents. Among parents who are born-again Christians, the opportunity is even greater —8 out of 10 (81%) said their church should help them be better parents. Substantially fewer parents said that the public schools (57%) and the government (34%) should be more involved in aiding parents. Barna.org

Quotes

"You can’t ‘microwave’ children like the dinner that overworked parents cook for their overstressed children. They require time, attention and heavy doses of love." Cal Thomas in Things that Matter Most (Zondervan, 1994)

"Our research indicates that by 2010 we will probably have 10% to 20% of the population relying primarily or exclusively upon the Internet for its religious input. Those people will never set foot on a church campus because their religious and spiritual needs will be met through other means—including the Internet. Whether or not the cyberchurch is a "true" church may not be as pressing an issue as what current church leaders will do about the inevitable gravitation of tens of millions of people away from the existing church and how they can help to shape this emerging church form."—George Barna. Barna.org.

Connections

Apologies: The April Family Notes referenced an article on men’s ministry that was to appear in the May-June LFA Journal. Space limits caused the article to be deferred to the November-December issue. 

Sources 

"Growing Together, Standing Strong" is the theme of materials for congregations to observe Christian Education Month in September. The materials, from the LCMS Department of Child Ministry, include a planning guide and a "family growth chart" to help remind families of faith-building activities. For a sample: e-mail june.waters@lcms.org or call (800) 248-1930, Ext. 1269 

There is no owner’s manual when a child arrives, advise authors of The Father Book. With humor, the authors offer some theory and a lot of guidance—what it means to be a father, how fatherhood has changed in ‘90s and how a father meets a child’s needs. Thomas Nelson Publishers, $5.99 

God calls men to be fathers and He doesn’t call them to do the work alone. He gives assurance that your family is in His hands, and that’s good reason to celebrate, laugh, learn and grow with your children, according to Lessons in Dadhood, a devotion book by Tim Wesemann. Concordia Publishing House, $12.99

To receive a copy of Family Notes email your request to Luthfam@lcms.org, or call 800-393-8918.

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