My dear readers,
1. The changing pattern of “Family”
History teaches us that fashions and lifestyle from the United States of America sooner or later spread to other parts of the globe. The time-lag may have been years, but with instant communications, that interval is likely to be much shorter. Recent family patterns is a case in point.
2. Latest report from the US: “Four in 10 say marriage is becoming obsolete” by Hope Yen, Associated Press (CN 6 Dec 2010)
As families gather for Thanksgiving this year, nearly one in three American children is living with a parent who is divorced, separated or never-married. More people are accepting the view that wedding bells aren’t needed to have a family.
(“Who started marriage anyway? Why marry?” Today’s Society is progressive! – Ed.)
A study by the Pew Research Center, in association with Time magazine, highlights rapidly changing notions of the American family. And the Census Bureau, too, is planning to incorporate broader definitions of family when measuring poverty, a shift caused partly by recent jumps in unmarried couples living together.
About 29 percent of children under 18 now live with a parent or parents who are unwed or no longer married, a fivefold increase from 1960.
(Cohabitation and fornication are becoming fashionable, no longer frowned upon. Why bother? Just live! – Ed.)
Indeed, about 39 percent of Americans said marriage was becoming obsolete. And that sentiment follows U.S. census data released in September that showed marriages hit an all-time low of 52 percent for adults 18 and over.
In 1978, just 28 percent believed marriage was becoming obsolete.
3. New meaning to old word
When asked what constitutes a family, the vast majority of Americans agree that a married couple, with or without children, fits that description. But four of five surveyed pointed also to an unmarried, opposite-sex couple with children or a single parent. Three of 5 people said a same-sex couple with children was a family.
“Marriage is still very important in this country, but it doesn't dominate family life like it used to,” said Andrew Cherlin, a professor of sociology and public policy at Johns Hopkins University. “Now there are several ways to have a successful family life, and more people accept them.”
Beginning next year, the Census Bureau will publish new, supplemental poverty figures that move away from the traditional concept of family as a husband and wife with two children. It will broaden the definition to include unmarried couples, such as same-sex partners, as well as foster children who are not related by blood or adoption.
“People are rethinking what family means,” Cherlin said. “Given the growth, I think we need to accept cohabitation relationships as a basis for some of the fringe benefits offered to families, such as health insurance.”
Still, the study indicates that marriage isn’t going to disappear anytime soon. Despite a growing view that marriage may not be necessary, 67 percent of Americans were upbeat about the future of marriage and family.
Other findings:
- About 44 percent of people say they have lived with a partner without being married; for 30 to 49-year-olds, that share rose to 57 percent. In most cases, those couples said they considered cohabitation as a step toward marriage.
- About 62 percent say that the best marriage is one where the husband and wife both work and both take care of the household and children. That’s up from 48 percent who held that view in 1977.
(Reprinted from CN Dec 6, 2010)
4. What does God’s Word say to all this?
Men’s practices, no matter how prevalent or fashionable, do not alter God’s Law. Listen! “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind … shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor 6:9-10). Our concern is not the passing present but the eternal future!
Fashion and practice do not alter the unchanging holy Law of God. God’s Kingdom is holy: fornicators, adulterers and sodomites (gays) shall not be admitted. God’s Kingdom is securely safeguarded. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev 21:27).
To all readers, God’s Word has timely and urgent warning. Let us walk in His ways. Care not what the world may say or do.
Young ladies, girls, and young men, your virginity and chastity are God’s most precious gifts. Keep holy and pure, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
God bless all readers.
1. The changing pattern of “Family”
History teaches us that fashions and lifestyle from the United States of America sooner or later spread to other parts of the globe. The time-lag may have been years, but with instant communications, that interval is likely to be much shorter. Recent family patterns is a case in point.
2. Latest report from the US: “Four in 10 say marriage is becoming obsolete” by Hope Yen, Associated Press (CN 6 Dec 2010)
As families gather for Thanksgiving this year, nearly one in three American children is living with a parent who is divorced, separated or never-married. More people are accepting the view that wedding bells aren’t needed to have a family.
(“Who started marriage anyway? Why marry?” Today’s Society is progressive! – Ed.)
A study by the Pew Research Center, in association with Time magazine, highlights rapidly changing notions of the American family. And the Census Bureau, too, is planning to incorporate broader definitions of family when measuring poverty, a shift caused partly by recent jumps in unmarried couples living together.
About 29 percent of children under 18 now live with a parent or parents who are unwed or no longer married, a fivefold increase from 1960.
(Cohabitation and fornication are becoming fashionable, no longer frowned upon. Why bother? Just live! – Ed.)
Indeed, about 39 percent of Americans said marriage was becoming obsolete. And that sentiment follows U.S. census data released in September that showed marriages hit an all-time low of 52 percent for adults 18 and over.
In 1978, just 28 percent believed marriage was becoming obsolete.
3. New meaning to old word
When asked what constitutes a family, the vast majority of Americans agree that a married couple, with or without children, fits that description. But four of five surveyed pointed also to an unmarried, opposite-sex couple with children or a single parent. Three of 5 people said a same-sex couple with children was a family.
“Marriage is still very important in this country, but it doesn't dominate family life like it used to,” said Andrew Cherlin, a professor of sociology and public policy at Johns Hopkins University. “Now there are several ways to have a successful family life, and more people accept them.”
Beginning next year, the Census Bureau will publish new, supplemental poverty figures that move away from the traditional concept of family as a husband and wife with two children. It will broaden the definition to include unmarried couples, such as same-sex partners, as well as foster children who are not related by blood or adoption.
“People are rethinking what family means,” Cherlin said. “Given the growth, I think we need to accept cohabitation relationships as a basis for some of the fringe benefits offered to families, such as health insurance.”
Still, the study indicates that marriage isn’t going to disappear anytime soon. Despite a growing view that marriage may not be necessary, 67 percent of Americans were upbeat about the future of marriage and family.
Other findings:
- About 44 percent of people say they have lived with a partner without being married; for 30 to 49-year-olds, that share rose to 57 percent. In most cases, those couples said they considered cohabitation as a step toward marriage.
- About 62 percent say that the best marriage is one where the husband and wife both work and both take care of the household and children. That’s up from 48 percent who held that view in 1977.
(Reprinted from CN Dec 6, 2010)
4. What does God’s Word say to all this?
Men’s practices, no matter how prevalent or fashionable, do not alter God’s Law. Listen! “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind … shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor 6:9-10). Our concern is not the passing present but the eternal future!
Fashion and practice do not alter the unchanging holy Law of God. God’s Kingdom is holy: fornicators, adulterers and sodomites (gays) shall not be admitted. God’s Kingdom is securely safeguarded. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev 21:27).
To all readers, God’s Word has timely and urgent warning. Let us walk in His ways. Care not what the world may say or do.
Young ladies, girls, and young men, your virginity and chastity are God’s most precious gifts. Keep holy and pure, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
God bless all readers.
Dr SH Tow
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