CHILD TRAGEDIES: MISSING MARRIAGE (living, dying outside intact, married family life)

NY POST ^ | February 8, 2006 | W. Bradford Wilcox, resident fellow, Institute for American Values

[Liz]

Seven shocking child deaths in the last four months: Liyah Atkinson, Quachaun Browne, Nixzmary Brown, Josiah Bunch, Dahquay Gillians, Sierra Roberts, Michael Segarra.

This staggering death toll from abuse or neglect has focused justifiable attention on malfeasance at the city's Administration for Children's Services.

But another thread tragically links these kids: All were living outside of an intact, married family.

For all the heartbreaking media coverage, almost no stories have mentioned that children are much more likely to die outside of an intact, married home than they are to die inside an intact, married home.

Consider the empirical evidence. A recent study in the journal Pediatrics found that preschool children in homes with an unrelated adult were nearly 50 times as likely to die because of physical abuse, compared to children in intact, married homes.

We also found that children living with stepparents (usually a stepfather) are more than 40 times as likely to be killed or sexually abused, compared to children living in an intact, married family.

Bottom line: Children are much more likely to be abused or neglected in a single-parent, cohabiting or stepfamily situation than they are in an intact, married family. Why?

Biology is important. As sociologists Sara McLanahan of Princeton and Gary Sandefur of Wisconsin observe, "The fact that both parents have a biological connection to the child" increases the chance that both parents identify with and invest in the child, thereby reducing "the likelihood that either parent would abuse the child."

So is marriage. Married parents have enduring legal, moral and social ties to each other and to their children.

W. Bradford Wilcox, a resident fellow at the Institute for American Values and an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Virginia, lives with his wife and three children in New York City.

[mtbopfuyn]

malfeasance at the city's Administration for Children's Services

Blaming Children's Services for every death is getting old. The department can not save every child and is bound by laws and regulations as well as what the judges' decree. Put the blame where it belongs - on the parents.

[Redbob]

Also living and dying outside the reach of someone who can spell your first name...

[silverleaf]

When the State destroys incentives to marry by picking up the tab for Mom's lifestyle choices (supposedly but not always used for her singleton child rearing) then the State becomes responsible for the helpless child.

So no...blame the State. But prosecute the Mom/Dad.

[Bigg Red]

Prayers for the children. And for a change of heart in our society, in which cohabitation and childbearing outside marriage have become acceptable.

[defenderSD]

Very important, though tragic article. Thanks for posting this.

[reagandemocrat]

In L.A. County, there are financial incentives for the DCFS to remove children from troubled homes, and place them in foster care, where many of the abuse cases occur. (Foster parents receive $ from the state/county, the more children--the more money and kickbacks to DCFS).

The DCFS can't properly investigate the foster homes, but woe be to the natural parents who get on their wrong side, because the kids will soon be placed in foster care. And all it takes is a phone call to the DCFS to initiate an investigation:

"Do you use corporal punishment as part of your disciplinary techniques?" "Do you spank your son when he hits his sister or scares the dog?" "Why is he getting only 'C's" in school?" During their unannounced night-time inspection of your home, are clothes piled on the floor? Unwashed dishes on the sink?

It is a corrupt big business-- All funded by us taxpayers, and contributing to the fundamental breakdown of the American Family.

RD

[HamiltonJay]

I know a woman who's infant was choking.. she properly turned it over and smacked its back hard repeatedly to dislodge the food.... Well this act that saved the childs life, naturally left huge bruising on the childs back... The police and CYS were called to the scene, and removed the child from the her custody on the spot in spite of the fact that the EMT's commended the mother on the spot for saving the childs life.....

She had to fight the system to get her child back... CYS is largely a joke. Once they are involved in anything, you are screwed.

[little jeremiah]

FYI.

[MillerCreek]

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[little jeremiah]

The figures here are irrefutable. Sex outside of marriage destroys lives. And I'm not talking about disease.

The wellbeing of future generations is at stake. Children conceived like litters of puppies grow up as feral humans, and their offspring are even more damaged.

[TAdams8591]

Too many single parents are more-than willing to hook up with people they do not know well. Many times, a boyfriend or girlfriend will move with their new significant other within days of having met. Such behavior is definitely a recipe for disaster.

[Liz]

Good point. These people need intense therapy.....not live-in abusers.