'REDISCOVERING' THE VALUE OF FAMILIES

It is amazing that "smart" people from time to time have to "rediscover"
the value of families. That value has been there from the earliest
beginnings of civilizations.

The latest "rediscovery" comes in the report that drug use among youngsters
is less when the young people live in homes with both parents present.

Sadly, there is no formula to keep all kids out of foolish troubles. But
good family life helps. Among children of sixth to 12th grade ages, drug
use for those living with fathers only was a shocking 38.4 percent. Those
living with fathers and stepmothers had a 31.9 percent drug use rate.
Children living with mothers and stepfathers had a 29.9 percent rate. Homes
headed by mothers only had a 28.3 percent drug rate for children. But in
homes with both mothers and dads, the drug use rate was 20.4 percent.
That's still much too high, but far better than the other options.

There is, truly, no place like home, and no better home for children and
adults than one with both loving parents.