Statistics from the institute reveal that in 1995 there were about 90,000 households with unmarried mothers; in 2000 it increased to over 120,000, and in 2005 it was over 130,000. Of those staying in homes for unmarried mothers, about 42 percent opt to give the child up for adoption and about 58 percent chose to raise the child. The reasons for choosing adoption vary.
About 34 percent chose adoption because of financial difficulties; 30 percent because of concern for the future of the child; 10 percent because they thought they were too young to be a mother. Those who chose to raise the child most said they wanted to raise the child simply because it was their child, others love for the child; others thought giving the child up for adoption would have been sinful.
In 2010 there will be over a million and half single family households and only about 10 percent will receive government aid. The single-mother family has three times more trouble than the married-mother family. The representative from the institute argues persuasively that all the children should be seen as the responsibility of society and be given the necessary support.
Two Religious Sisters working with unmarried mothers mentioned that since about 60 percent of the abortions are unmarried mothers, the movement for life has to consider this when working with young people. Furthermore, educating the young to have safe sex is to ignore the moral issues that are involved. Even though these issues are becoming less relevant to many today, education that stresses the value of purity and chastity still is important.
Another sister responsible for a home for runaways says the connection between unmarried mothers and those who have run away from home is very close, which is another good reason for averting the break up of the family and for educating for a healthy family life. A worthwhile goal that will require more effort on the part of the Church if it is to be accomplished.
