Erosion Of The Family

From the beginning God ordained that stable family relationships should be the cornerstone of human society. The first occurrence of the word "family" in Scripture reflects this truth: "Of these were the isles of the nations divided in their lands, every one after his tongue; after their families, in their nati6ns" (Gen. 10:5).

At the heart of stable family relationships is the fidelity of husband and

wife to one another. When Eve was presented to Adam in Eden he said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man' (Gen. 2:23). The comment follows: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh". Of this relationship the Lord Jesus said, "What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder" (Mat. 19:6). In harmony with this the apostle Paul counselled disciples in the Corinthian church: "But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband (But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife" (1 Cor. 7:10,11).

Christian influence in the Western world has tended to promote the family concept and discourage divorce. Although in every generation there has been some disregard of generally accepted standards, the family unit has by and large remained the foundation of social stability. However, over recent decades there has developed a pronounced change of attitude regarding family values in most Western countries, a change which has eaten into the very fabric of society in these nations.

Britain may be taken as an example of what has been happening, an example all the more significant because of Britain's former lead in many spiritual and ethical fields. The following statistics tell their own sad story.

Today Britain has a higher divorce rate and more children born to teenage mothers than any other country in Europe.

Divorces rose from 25,000 in 1961 to 153,386 in 1990. Numbers are still rising, and almost half of all marriages now end in divorce.

Births outside marriage rose from 54,000 in 1961 to 236,000 in 1991.

The proportion of women who have cohabited with their future husband before marriage has risen ten-fold in a generation, from about five per cent in the mid-sixties to more than fifty per cent in 1993.

In the light of such statistics there can be no doubt that alarming inroads are being made into the nation's traditional family values, leading to so many detrimental results for society at large.

A striking feature is that the great majority of divorces have been initiated by women. They now account for at least seven out of ten petitions for divorce. This is largely due to the greater independence of women. Female employment has proved more buoyant than male employment: in many parts of Britain there are now more women employed than men. Then financial support is forthcoming when needed from the Welfare State. Many women therefore now have the option to do something about unhappiness in marriage, divorce being seen as a means of emancipation.

Sadly it is children who so often become involved in the suffering caused by broken families and single parenthood. A sense of insecurity, division of loyalties and other factors lead in many cases to psychological disturbance and social problems. All this contributes further to society's general malaise.

The wise Preacher wrote that "righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov. 14:34). The setting aside of God's moral laws on a national scale is bound to be to the detriment of the country's ethical standards and social character. Yet amidst general decline Christian testimony may radiate in bright contrast. To His disciples the Lord Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world ... Even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Mat. 5:14,16). Also in the same passage, "Ye are the salt of the earth", a metaphor emphasizing the influence of Christian witness among the world's moral depravity, just as salt has properties which preserve from corruption. By personal devotion to divine principles governing family life, believers may glorify God despite present trends. How earnestly Christian husbands and wives should guard the sanctity and harmony of their marriages! "That no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor. 2:11).

unknown | Mar 1994
Focus