Single Dad Attempts To Get the Dying American Family Placed on the 'Endangered Species' List: This Could be History and a First

Salt Lake City (PRWEB) December 17, 2007 -- Terry Harris, a single dad has asked members of congress to assist him in having the dying "American Family" placed on the endangered species list. Harris who has spent many years in education got the idea while teaching chapters on the decline of the American Family. Harris sent the enclosed letter (see page 3 of this release ) to the following members of congress: Jim Matheson, Nancy Pelosi's, Orrin G. Hatch, Robert F. Bennett, Rob Bishop, Chris Cannon, Trent Lott, Roger F. Wicker, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Edward M. Kennedy, Jim Costa, Loretta Sanchez, Susan A. Davis, Elizabeth Dole, Barack Obama.

Harris, who holds a BS in Social Sciences, Maters in Organizational Mgt and is a PhD candidate in Psychology notes that "Families are the bedrock of society. When families fall apart, society falls into social and cultural decline. Ultimately the breakdown of the American family is at the root of nearly every other social problem and pathology." One of the most significant factors contributing to the breakdown of the family has been the steady rise of unwed births. Since 1960, illegitimate births have increased more than 400 percent. In 1960, 5 percent of all births were out of wedlock. Thirty years later nearly 30 percent of all births were illegitimate.

Harris admits that placing the American Family on the endangered species sits has never been attempted before, but is something that is needed. He is the first to admit that he's not perfect but understands how important the family is and its extension could spell a careless emotionless society. Harris' explains the U.S Center for Marriage and Family released a study in November 2005 that shows broken family structures consistently lead to education difficulties for children.

The report found that children from non-intact families (children living in a situation other than with their own married father and mother) have significantly higher rates of difficulty with all levels of education, from pre-kindergarten through to primary, secondary and college-age levels. Each year a child spends with a single mother or stepparent "reduces that child's overall educational attainment by approximately one-half year" suggests the report.

The study, a comprehensive review of recent academic research on the relationship between family structures and children's academic performance, compared education outcomes from children growing up with their own married parents to children in non-intact family structures such as divorced, single, remarried or cohabiting parents.

Family structure was consistently found to be the deciding factor in a wide range of child behaviors that directly influence academic performance, including emotional and psychological distress, attention disorders, social misbehavior, substance abuse, sexual activity and teen pregnancy. Children from non-intact homes had higher rates of stress, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem, particularly as teenagers.

The study found that preschool children from broken homes were three times more likely to suffer from attention deficit disorders than children from intact homes. Children from single-parent homes suffered from more physical health problems, as well. Pre-school children from single-parent homes were also less likely to be read to or given help with letter-recognition. Harris proposes additional solutions to the problem of family breakdown. First, we must teach marriage principles. Marriages are falling apart and other marriages never begin as sexual partners choose to live together rather than get married.

The study also found that children who were in a single-parent or step-parent home by the time they were ten were more than twice as likely to be arrested by age 14. Children who never lived with their own father had the highest likelihood of being arrested.

The study reports that a majority of U.S. children will have spent a significant part of their childhood in a one-parent home by the time they reach 18. Single parent homes in the U.S. nearly doubled in the period from 1968-2004.

Harris hopes that congress will take note of the issue and make an effort to place the dying family as an institution on the Endangered Species List. Harris says that he won't stop at congress but will continue to seek help from members of the media, churches, PTA groups and other para - professionals. If the 'Family is placed on the Endangered Species List this will be a first and most certainty a sign that the family is important to the survival of this nation.

Harris is available for interviews and seminars. Or perhaps you just want to help. He can be contacted by calling the Top Producers Clinic @ 801-930-9602. You may also email Harris @ info@topproducersclinic.com

Devin

Public Relations Administrator

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