"A House Divided Cannot Stand"

One of the most controversial topics, I think, in the Christian community is cohabitation before Marriage. I've always viewed that topic as more of a moral issue than an economic issue but after reading the article Ties that Bind I can see how is a money issue as well. Just to touch on the moral aspect of this, I am still on the fence. I understand it is considered to be against the Bible, but I personally do not think growing up in a home with two unmarried people is necessarily bad for the kid. I only say this because I've grown up in two different homes where my parents had partners live with us who they weren't married to. Yeah it was a little difficult in multiple ways, one being financially.

 

It isn't a secret that the proper kind of home for a child is a stable one and one way of obtaining that kind of environment is financially. Two pay checks obviously beat just one and can make paying for things easier, though people do just live and survive with just one. Children who grow up watching their parents have multiple partners are more likely to one, do the same. Two, be less likely to succeed in school. And three, end up pregnant in high school and NOT continue on to get any kind of degree. Which in turn just put the, now mother, and child in further financial trouble than before. It is a vicious cycle that very few want or try to break out of.

The increase of homeless children has increased as well. Almost 1.35 million each year, and about 42% of them are under the age of six. Why does this happen? Again, excluding disasters and such, it boils down to not having money to provide a home for your children or yourself. Whether or not those home had split parents. Cohabiting partners, or still married spouses. One thing is all the same. It wasn't a stable enough environment.

I, like I mentioned before, have come from not only a split home, but also two homes where the parental figures were not married at one time. I know other kids who have grown up in a similar situation and their outcomes all vary. My mom and sister and I all went through highs and lows after my mom and dad split. He paid his child support yes, but having just a little slice of support is not the same as having him there for full support. I find it funny how money is the root of all evil, yet it is the corner stone for stability and happiness.

 But in all reality I think the true outcome for a child comes from how dedicated a parent is to make as good of a life they can for their kids. My mom, my family, and countless others took the split and ran with it. Yes, they stumbled, but they didn't stay down and say this is my luck, this is how it is supposed to be. The split home children and dependents lives are not predetermined to suck. It is hard and ones life will never be as good as another, but if people are determined to break the cycle I think it is possible. No it may not be healthy to grow up with your parent having a revolving door of people in your life, and it may not be good to go week to week from parent to parent. But if you have a roof over your head, food on the table, a loving non abusive parent (even if its just one or one and their boy/girl friend), consider yourself lucky. Some don't even have the simple stabilities in life.