Until social scientists, policy makers and churches begin to look at family breakdown as a significant factor in child abuse, the epidemic will continue. Child abuse in the United States shows definite patterns related to family structure. For example, the safest family environment for a child is a home in which the biological parents are married. Recent research demonstrates that marriage provides a safe environment for all family members, one in which child abuse and fatality are lowered dramatically. In addition, cohabitation, or living together outside of marriage, is a major factor in child abuse.
Cohabitation implies a lack of commitment.
The evidence suggests that a lack of commitment between biological parents is dangerous for children, and that a lack of commitment between mother and boyfriend is extremely dangerous to kids. The risk of child abuse is 20 times higher than in traditional married families if parents are cohabiting, and 35 times higher if the single mother is cohabiting with a boyfriend. In addition to unmarried parents creating a higher risk of child abuse for their children, the pattern of child abuse is frequently passed down from generation to generation. Another generation of child abusers is being raised by today's abusive parents, and many of these future parents will never know that children should be treated differently. Although a home with biological parents who are married cannot guarantee that a child will be safe and happy, the evidence suggests that the traditional home is the safest of all environments for children, and in contrast, that a home with adults who decide not to marry and to live together out of wedlock is the most dangerous environment for children.