"The Scourge of a Fatherless Society" America is the world leader in fatherless families: over 34 percent of American children live in homes without their biological father.  There is a spiritual attack on fatherhood from several fronts: the government, radical feminism, the American Psychological Association and the entertainment media.  Television “sitcom” dads are depicted as bumbling fools, scorned by their all-wise offspring.  Instead of television shows like “Father Knows Best,” “Leave it to Beaver,” “My Three Sons,” and “Bonanza” which have portrayed the epitome of fatherly devotion, leadership and wisdom, we have now “evolved” to comedy with an agenda.  The scriptwriters for characters such as Homer Simpson and Mr. Bundy of “Married With Children” calculatedly undermine and mock paternal authority.  Parents who allow their children to view such programming without restriction wonder why their kids show them disrespect. Our government cuts off welfare benefits to households if the father resides with the mother, placing low-income fathers in competition for the mothers of their children against the government welfare system.  As a result of the “man-in-the-house” rule, the number of children who lived in fatherless homes skyrocketed from 5.1 million in 1960 to 16.5 million in 1995.   Because of this policy, committed, caring fathers are an endangered species in low-income black neighborhoods.  Is it any wonder that the destructive, rebellious “gangsta” culture is epidemic?  Young men will find someone to affirm them if Dad is not around to do so.  A hatred for authority, a low opinion of women and violence are the criteria required for running with this pack.   Also adding to the number of absent-father families is the prize of the feminist movement: no fault divorce.  What seemed like the “easy way out” for embittered spouses has left in its wake a multitude of moms living in poverty, and a generation of children scarred by divorce.  No wonder that even kids from affluent homes are sympathetic to the angry “gangsta” lifestyle. Adolescent girls of father-absent homes are 3 times more likely to be sexually active before they turn 15 years old, and five times more likely to become a teenage mother.  Children are at greater risk of alcohol and drug use, suicide, depression and behavioral disorders, asthma, headaches and “ADD.”    America is suffering from the “fallout” of imploding families.  No wonder God proclaimed through His prophet Malachi, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.  And He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4: 5-6). Fathers are essential to the family unit and society.  Fathers are more than just “income producers.”  God has placed a unique calling upon fathers.  They are to be representative of His Father’s heart, demonstrating unconditional love, discipline and leadership to their children. God charges the fathers with the responsibility of teaching their children about Him and His Holy Word.  It is the father who calls his children to life, speaking blessings over them and giving them a sense of identity.  In properly relating to our fathers and their God-given authority, we can properly relate to our own spouses, children, bosses, and society at large.  The authority of the father has been under attack for decades.  Many view a father’s authority as somehow diminishing the worth of the mother and children.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  When a man sacrifices his life for his family, we consider him a hero.  Actually, he is instinctively performing his God-mandated duty: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it…” (Ephesians 5: 25). Thankfully, there are ministries such as “Promise Keepers” that affirm and encourage men to be all that God has created them to be as husbands, fathers and citizens.  For those who have failed as fathers, or for children and wives that have been failed by fathers, there is forgiveness and healing through Jesus Christ.  The Bible states: “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation,” (Psalm 68: 5) and, “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6: 18).  Some fathers are bitter against their own fathers and, subsequently, all authority figures, God included.  They have no foundation on which to build their relationships with their own children.  This bitterness is passed on from generation to generation, and only the blood of Jesus can break that curse.  “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6: 4).  The good news is that Jesus makes all things new.  We have a perfect heavenly Father Who loves us, provides for us, protects us, forgives us and saves us.  He has ordained fathers to show, in some measure, His loving care for us.  If your father has failed you, forgive him, releasing him and yourself from judgment.  Then turn to your “Big Daddy” and allow His love to transform you into the person that you were meant to be.  And Dads, please come home.  The children of the world are waiting. “And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love Him, and We will come and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). “When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me” (Psalm 27:10).