In recent years, many Americans have figured out that the disintegration of families impacts children significantly. But according to a new study released last month, divorce and unwed parenting also cost U.S. taxpayers at least $112 billion annually. Furthermore, in an article written by Devon Williams, associate editor of CitizenLink, it is stated that the same study cites that national, state and local costs--over $1 trillion over the last decade--are caused, in part by high poverty rates of single, female-headed households, which lead to higher spending on welfare, criminal justice and education programs.
David Blankenhorn, president of the Institute for American Values, which is associated with the study, said that reducing family fragmentation rates by just 1 percent would save taxpayers $1.1 billion.
"This study documents for the first time that divorce and unwed childbearing--besides being bad for children--are also costing taxpayers a ton of money", Blankenhorn said.
Randy Hicks, president of the Georgia Family Council, stated that these figures represent real people and real suffering.
"Both economic and human costs make family fragmentation a legitimate public concern," Hicks said. "And while we'll never eliminate divorce and unwed childbearing entirely, we can certainly be doing more to help marriages and families succeed."
It's apparent from these reports that an investment in healthy marriages and strong families is an investment in the future of more economically sound communities. It's also evident that it's going to take a united and concerted effort from each of us to reverse this trend--with God's help, of course.
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