| The juvenile violent crime arrest for youths ages 10-17 increased by 48% between 1986 & 1991. 130,000 youth arrests were made for rape, homicide, robbery or aggravated assault. A 42,000 increase in just 5 years. (Kids Count Data Book, 1993) In 1970 arrests for violent crimes by American youths under the age of 18 was 54,596. In 1992 this figure jumped to 104,137, a 91% increase! Children and youths ages 12 to 20 constitute 57% of all serious arrests made in America. Suicide among youths age 15 to 19 has tripled since 1960. It is the second leading cause of death of youths in this age group. Of those hospitalized for depression, 20% are under the age of 18. Since the introduction ofcontraceptives for teens, teenage sexual activity and pregnacy have increased almost 400%. (Josh McDowell) Children entering broken families has increased from 12% in 1950 to over 60% in 1992. The average married family with children pay 1/4 of their income in federal taxes, with state and local taxes, the government takes approximately 38% of the income. In 1950 2% of the gross annual income of a mediun-income family of four were paid to federal income taxes and payroll taxes. (Heritage Foundation Background #981, 1994) 57% of the children in America do not have full time supervision. About 11 million people live together without marriage. (2000 census) The marriage rate has dropped 41% since 1960. Divorce rates tripled between 1960 - 1980. U.S. is the 3rd highest in the world for divorce. ( census bureau) 1 in 3 births in the U.S. in 1995 were by unwed mothers. 1 in 5 in 1980, and 1 in 10 in 1960. (census bureau) Over 1 million children are affected by divorce each year. 58 million couples were married but living apart in 2000. The federal government stopped keeping track of marriage and divorce rates. (Washington Times, 6/6/99) Doctors agreed, 70 years ago, the best way to discipline a child was to punish them.Today spankings are called child abuse. (spare the rod..) Television shows have changed the roles of the father figures. Fathers were once seen as providers and guiding figures for the family, now fathers are despicted as complete idiots with figures like Al Bundy and Homer Simpson. Movies have changed the woman from loving wife and mother to being physically aggresive and dominate. Today the average American man's sperm count is 50% less than what it was 40 years ago. The onset of puberty for girls is happening at much earlier ages than ever before. It was suggested that the normal age be changed to reflect the age to 8 as being the norm. (Pediatrics 99 no.4, 1997) The rate of infertility has quadrupled in the last 40 years. Today about 43% of college graduates are men. In 1950 the figure was 70% Premature death for divorced white men is 4 times hgher as that of married men. (Rockville,Md: National Institute for Healthcare Research, 1995) Over 100,000 children take mood altering drugs for supposed bipolar disorder (Lawrence H. Diller, M.D.) Prozac-like drugs prescribed to children under 18 is up 74% (Lawrence H. Diller, M.D.) Prescription drugs in hospitals kill 140,000 people a year. (article in the Journal of American Medical Association) |
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