There Is No Substitute for Parents.

• Author: Horn, Wade F.

"Even many die-hard critics of the traditional family have been forced to admit that their ivory-tower theories are wrong. In the real world, children need to be raised by two parents, and parents need the freedom to decide what is in the best interest of their offspring."

In 1960, the total number of children living in fatherless families was fewer than 8,000,000. Today, that total has risen to almost 24,000,000. Nearly 40% of children in America are being raised in homes without their fathers, and soon it may be 60%. How did this happen? Why are so many of our nation's children growing up without a full-time father? It is because our culture has accepted the idea that fathers are superfluous--in other words, they are not necessary in the "modern" family. Supposedly, their contributions to the well-being of children easily can be performed by the state, which disburses welfare checks, subsidizes midnight basketball leagues, and establishes child care facilities.

The consequences of this idea have been as profound as they have been disastrous. Almost 75% of American children living in fatherless households will experience poverty before the age of 11, compared to 20% of those raised by two parents. Youngsters living in homes where fathers are absent are far more likely to be expelled from or drop out of school, develop emotional or behavioral problems, commit suicide, or fall victim to child abuse or neglect. The males are far more likely to become violent criminals. Men who grew up without lathers represent 70% of the prison population serving long-term sentences.

Undeniably, fathers are important for the well-being of children. So, too, are traditional families. They ensure the continuity of civilization by propagating the species and socializing children. Everyone seems to understand the obvious benefits of propagation, but the important role that parents play in socializing kids is widely misunderstood and undervalued.

Socialization can be defined as the process whereby individuals acquire the behavior, attitudes, and values that not only are regarded as desirable and appropriate by society, but have stood the test of time and proved to be the most humane. Proper socialization requires delaying or inhibiting "impulse gratification" in order to abide by the rules of law and custom. Well-socialized children have learned, for instance, not to strike out at others to get what they want; poorly socialized youngsters have not. Well-socialized children have learned to obey the directions of legitimate authority figures like parents and teachers; poorly socialized youngsters have not. Well-socialized children have learned to cooperate and share with others; poorly socialized youngsters have not.

Much of what is described as "good character"...