A mother and her daughter. It is tough raising a family as a single parent.
"Daddy wherever you are,
Remember me,
In whatever you do, I love you.
You left for the city, many years ago,
Promising to come back,
And take care of us.
Many years has passed no, still no sign of you, Daddy,
Mother died of heart attack, many years ago, when she heard that you are married again, I was the only one left in the family.
Wandering up and down, in the streets of Soweto, no place to call my home,
I tried to find you, many years ago,
But the women you got married to,
Were not good at all"
(Lucky Dube, ‘Remember Me’).
In the US, which is the richest race or ethnic group? The answer might surprise you: it's not white people, but Asians. Similarly, when it comes to maths proficiency, the top region isn't Europe or the US, but East Asia — specifically Japan, China, and South Korea. Jamaica, geographically, is located in North America, not Africa or Europe. And, interestingly, Islam is the fastest-growing religion globally.
Now, which racial group has the most stable family units, with the least divorces, whose children have the greatest chance of growing up with two parents? Contrary to common assumptions, it's not Black families. In fact, research shows that Asian-American families tend to have the most stable families, with 65 per cent of adolescents living with their married biological parents. This is likely due to their cultural emphasis on tight-knit, family-focused traditions and values.
In comparison, 54 per cent of White teenagers live with their married biological parents, while 41 per cent of Hispanic adolescents do so, with family stability varying by state and cultural background. Unfortunately, only 17 per cent of African American adolescents live with their married biological parents, with historical and societal factors contributing to this trend.
The issue of fatherlessness is a pressing concern, as highlighted in The Economist's story "The Crisis of South Africa's Missing Dads." The article reveals that 7 in 10 Black children in South Africa are being raised by someone other than their biological father. This phenomenon is repeated in several Black-majority countries worldwide.
Strong families matter economically, and it's no coincidence that Asian families in the US are both the most stable and the richest. Fatherlessness has a significant negative impact on children and society as a whole. When children are raised without caring fathers, they often face challenges, particularly financial. Moreover, the absence of a father figure can lead to feelings of abandonment and neglect.
While governments and societies can provide support, the greatest burden of raising children falls on parents. Weaker families mean larger burdens on states in the form of welfare programs. Reversing the trend of weakening family units, particularly among Black populations, is a complex issue. Possible solutions include reducing the costs of entry into marriage, offering incentives for married couples, and promoting moral lessons to strengthen marriages.
Ultimately, the consequences of weak families spill over into society, contributing to issues such as street children. By addressing the root causes of fatherlessness and promoting stable family units, we can work towards creating a more supportive and prosperous society for all. Promoting strong families and reducing divorce rates requires a multifaceted approach that involves individuals, communities, and societies.
What can African governments do?
Providing couples with relationship education and counselling can help them develop healthy communication skills, conflict resolution strategies, and a deeper understanding of each other's needs.
Offering marriage preparation programs can help couples build a strong foundation for their relationship, including discussing financial management, conflict resolution, and expectations.
Building strong community support networks can provide families with access to resources, mentorship, and social connections, helping to reduce stress and increase feelings of belonging. Providing economic support, such as affordable childcare, flexible work arrangements, and financial assistance, can help reduce financial stress and promote family stability.
Offering parenting support programs can help parents develop effective parenting skills, manage stress, and build stronger relationships with their children.
Encouraging co-parenting and cooperation between parents, even in cases of divorce or separation, can help children maintain healthy relationships with both parents. Family-friendly policies, such as paid family leave, flexible work arrangements, and affordable childcare, can help support families and promote stability.
Dr Kang’ata is the Governor of Murang’a County. Email [email protected]
