Tuesday, April 15, 2008; Posted: 5:25 p.m. (CDT)
Oklahoma City -- A new report reveals shocking statistics when it comes to divorce and births out of wed-lock. The study shows family fragmentation costs U.S. taxpayers at least $112 billion each year. State officials discussed the impact it has on you in Oklahoma. KSBI-TV's Kealey McIntire has the story.
A 44-page report released Tuesday was the cause for concern at the Oklahoma state capitol. The report shows that divorce and births to unwed mothers cost Oklahoma $430 million dollars a year. Leaders say we need to take that burden off of our government.
"We need to lessen the need for our government to be welfare to families. The best welfare is a mom and a dad in a home together," says Mike Jestes, with the Oklahoma Family Council Policy.
The study finds nearly 69 percent of Oklahomans living in poverty live in an unmarried household. As a result, state government spends about $150 million for welfare benefits and $208 million on legal expenses. Studies show a large number of crimes are tied to childhood poverty and the government forgoes $72 million in tax revenue.
"But I believe we can do much more than we are presently doing and it is a worth while cause," says Jestes.
In 1999, the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative began providing divorce prevention programs. They have served 133,000 Oklahomans and will continue to grow.
"This is a marathon, not a sprint, and we are committed to providing good information for couples to access free of charge across the state of Oklahoma, so that we can all step up to the table to make an impact," says Kendy Cox, with the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative.
The study shows such initiatives work and reduce family fragmentation by one percent. They would also save just over one billion dollars nationwide every year. One Lawmaker says he'll fight to pass legislation that will help.
"But this is something that will evolve and we will try to find best practices and find ways to get them into enabling legislation," says Representative Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa.
McCullough says in recent years lawmakers have considered several proposals that would strengthen families. He says the report proves they must continue those efforts.
Click on the link below to see the entire report.
For more information, visit http://www.americanvalues.org/html/coff_mediaadvisory.htm.
