Native American Families in Crisis

by Josh Montez, correspondent
April 7, 2005

American Indian children are bearing the brunt of family breakdown.

American Indian children have extremely high suicide rates, are more likely to get in fights at school and have high rates of substance abuse, according to studies.

Some, like Terry Cross of the National Indian Welfare Association, think the solution is more government money.

"American Indian families," Cross said, "deserve the same kinds of support and help as anyone else to meet the needs of their children."

But others see a different cause of the problem—broken families. The New York Times reports, for instance, that fewer than half of the 1,500 children on the Lummi Indian Reservation in Washington live with a parent full-time.

Some Native Americans, such as Gab Mulitauopele, say keeping their families together is not easy. He became a Christian himself the hard way—in juvenile hall.

"For us it's a battle," Mulitauopele said. "We have six kids and we have to battle just making sure we have time for the family and time with God."

Rusty VanDuesen, of North American Indian Ministries agreed that money is "not the answer." Dads are.

"On the Native reservation, there is a vacuum of Native fathers," he said. "Fathers who stay involved with their families."

FOR MORE INFORMATION

You can obtain a clear look at why fathers are key for child development in the article, "How Fathers, As Male Parents, Matter for Healthy Child Development," by Glenn T. Stanton, senior analyst for marriage and families at Focus on the Family.

How Fathers, as Male Parents, Matter for Healthy Child Development

In addition, we recommend the following resource: "The Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide."

The Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide

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Last updated on April 08, 2005