ILLIGITIMACY -- A GROWING EPIDEMIC

Social scientists have a very difficult time explaining the reason that the number of children born out of wedlock has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Christians will probably find it very hard to believe that the rate in this country is above one in three, and in certain subsets of the population the rate is well over 66%. Thus, in some communities illegitimacy is being accepted as the rule rather than the exception.

Older Christians who have experienced the social engineering which has gradually taken place over the past 20-30 years can understand the reasons for the increase in illegitimate births. According to the accepted theory, the pill and other methods of birth control coupled with sex education in the schools should have resulted in an enlightened generation which was totally responsible for their actions. In fact, just the opposite has occurred! The reasons for this are exceedingly clear: our school systems and social scientists are not telling our young people the truth. The following are some of the errors taught throughout our society today:

1. Error: premarital sex is neither right nor wrong. They teach that it should be a responsible decision made by mature adults. This has put our children in the decision-making role, and who among them are willing to admit that they are not responsible, mature adults? The bible says "Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 13: 4). There was a time when society, as well as those who are Christians, taught that the only honorable place for the sexual relationship was within marriage, but no more. Now it is up to the children.

1. Error: you can practice safe sex. This is extremely counterproductive propaganda, and while it is not the official line of the US Center for Disease Control, it is the message which is being heard by the youth of this country. No birth control method is foolproof, especially when utilized by the young and impetuous. But the publicity on radio, TV and the movies constantly encourages young people to engage in sex, provided they do it in a "responsible" manner. In fact, the only thing safe is abstinence prior to marriage. This error will not only increase illegitimacy, it virtually assures that millions will die of AIDS by the end of this century.

1. Error: single parent families raise children just as effectively as their traditional two-parent counterparts. The logic goes something like this: cases exist where a single parent has done a better job than in the two-parent case; therefore, the traditional family cannot be proven to be superior, and any statement to this effect is highly discriminatory against the single parent who is trying to do his or her best. Similar arguments were quite effective a few years ago against anti-smoking and safety belt legislation, but society has recognized that a few counterexamples do not prove a general rule. Christians realize that God has placed the raising of children within the family unit (Gen. 2: 24). Many honorable and innocent people have been forced, through the death, sickness, or the irresponsibility of a spouse, to raise their children alone. However, none would claim that their success makes this the ideal model.

The causes of illegitimacy are clearly explained by the errors which most Americans are accepting as fact. Unless the truth is allowed to overcome these errors, we can expect that even a greater percentage of our population to be brought into this world without the essential emotional support of the family unit as God intended.