Social Costs & Economic Costs of Out-of Wedlock Births and Divorce
Posted: 05/07/2008
Social Costs & Economic Costs of Out-of Wedlock Births and Divorce
Kerby Anderson
May 8, 2008
When social commentators talk about out-of-wedlock births or divorce, they talk about the social and even emotional costs. But are there also economic costs? A recent study at Georgia State University suggests that the economic costs are significant.
The study is titled “The Taxpayer Cost of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing.” Four pro-marriage groups commissioned the study (e.g., the Institute for American Values and the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy). The study concluded that the cost was a minimum of $112 billion a year.
The increased costs come from expenditures for anti-poverty programs, criminal justice programs, educational programs and lost tax revenue. Consider this: if we are spending more than $100 billion a year, that means we are spending more than $1 trillion every decade of our tax dollars due to divorce and out-of-wedlock births. Wonder why your taxes are high? This is one reason.
Of course there are social costs as well. Children are deprived of two parents. Single parents have more complicated lives and no one to shoulder their burdens. Stress, depression, and emotional dependency are some of the costs of divorce and unwed childbirth. The price tag is exorbitant when you add up the social and economic costs.
Last year Texas designated millions of dollars to marriage education programs. Oklahoma provides marriage-strengthening programs that instruct couples in marriage skills. And most importantly churches and Christian family organizations provide a biblical perspective on marriage and parenting.
This latest study shows the lie to the cliché that personal behavior is a person’s personal and private affairs and isn’t anyone’s business. It turns out that divorce and unwed childbirth costs all of us plenty. Individual choices by couples about marriage and parenting cost all of us over a $1 trillion dollars each decade. We all pay a heavy price. I’m Kerby Anderson, and that’s my point of view.
Disclaimer: Worldview Weekend, Christian Worldview Network and its columnists do not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article posted on this site. We do however, encourage a healthy and friendly debate on the issues of our day. Whether you agree or disagree, we encourage you to post your feedback by using the feedback button.
Governments should not allocate monies to support these iniquities. Almost free housing, food stamps, WIC checks, subsidized electric costs, TANF: all government incentives to be slovenly, irresponsible, and iniquitous. Government is responsible for easy divorce as well. George Cancilla Click here to reply to this post
Amen
Posted On: 05/09/08 11:24:24 AM
Age 56, FL
And sadly, there are too few voices speaking this truth. Divorce damages lives and is a disease affecting our entire society. And the acceptance of illegitimacy as normal in this country by people who should be shouting about the rampant promiscuity is appalling. Although, these are symptomatic of the huge numbers of lost people in this culture. Click here to reply to this post
HOUSE OF CARDS
Posted On: 05/09/08 10:11:07 AM
Age 64, OH
The cost of disobedience to God will bring this nations economy down. It will fall like a house of cards in one day. Lou Click here to reply to this post
52 Pickup
Posted On: 05/11/08 05:28:59 PM
Age 61, MO
I believe it has already fallen. It is time to pick up the pieces and reshuffle the deck. George Cancilla Click here to reply to this post
