Yawning newborn, Author Martin Falbisoner (PD)
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9: 6).
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 8.28% of American infants (some 240,000) are born with low birthweight [1]. Over 194,000 are born to teen mothers as young as 15 [2].
More than 5 in every 1000 will die in infancy – a rate 71% higher than that of other developed nations [3][4]. Another 862,000 will be aborted before birth [5].
Approximately 40% of American children are born out of wedlock [6]. 19.7 million (1 in 4) live without a father in the home [7].
16% of American children live in poverty – 8.8% of white children, 23.7% of Hispanic children, and 30.1% of black children [8].
At least 678,000 American children will be neglected or abused in the coming year [9]. Another 13,000 can be expected to die of gun violence (some 700 before the age of 11) [10].
Do we really know the Prince of Peace, if we treat the children entrusted to our care this way?
—
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Birthweight and Gestation”, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/birthweight.htm.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “About Teen Pregnancy”, https://www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/about/index.htm.
[3] Macrotrends, “US Infant Mortality Rate 1950-2020”, https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/USA/united-states/infant-mortality-rate.
[4] Health System Tracker, “What do we know about infant mortality in the US and comparable countries?”, https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/infant-mortality-u-s-compare-countries/.
[5] Guttmacher Institute, “The US ABortion Rate Continues to Drop: Once Again, State Abortion Restrictions Are Not the Main Driver” by Elizabeth Nash and Joerg Dreweke, 9/18/19, https://www.guttmacher.org/gpr/2019/09/us-abortion-rate-continues-drop-once-again-state-abortion-restrictions-are-not-main.
[6] Child Trends, “Dramatic increase in the proportion of births outside of marriage in the United States from 1990 to 2016” by Elizabeth Wildsmith et al, 8/8/18, https://www.childtrends.org/publications/dramatic-increase-in-percentage-of-births-outside-marriage-among-whites-hispanics-and-women-with-higher-education-levels.
[7] National Fatherhood Initiative, “The Proof Is In: Father Absence Harms Children”, https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic.
[8] Children’s Defense Fund, “The State of America’s Children 2020 – An Urgent and Preventable Crisis”, https://www.childrensdefense.org/policy/resources/soac-2020-child-poverty/.
[9] Administration for Children and Families, “Child abuse, neglect data released”, 1/15/20, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/media/press/2020/child-abuse-neglect-data-released.
[10] Gun Violence Archive, “Past Summary Ledgers 2014/2015”, https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/past-tolls.
Wishing You All A Blessed Christmas!
FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com
ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 
I’m shocked even the developed nations facing these issues. And I thought they are doing pretty well in these aspects. Infant mortality rate would be low, but these stats showing something else.
Truly an eye opening Anna.
Thank you for stopping by, Ritish.
Those are some eye-opening statistics. So much energy in the church is given to the pro-life movement (which I agree with btw) but it often really ends up being only a pro-birth movement because the emphasis is only on the birth and then little attention is given to the welfare of children (and adults) as they grow and continue through life. It’s something that’s been on my mind a lot lately. Thank you for this post.
I could not agree more, Rebekah.
Shocking statistics especially the number of 15 year olds giving birth. I am sure Jesus Christ did not come for all of this to happen. Chaos which came about after his death as become the blueprint of our world. Emphasis of Jesus’ teaching have not been given enough emphasis. Thank you for this post Anna very informative and saddening.
I wish it were otherwise, Nanette.
Such a sobering, and needed, read just an hour before ours tear into too many beautifully packaged gifts. Our shame and peril in not internalizing your last fundamental question.
Thank you, Marilee. I hope you had a beautiful Christmas.
May the Prince of Peace bring his wonder and counsel to the darkness in our world.
Merry Christmas Anna!
Love, joy and blessings to you.
Gbolabo.
I wish you the same, Gbolabo! You are a gifted writer and dear friend. May God watch over you. Love, A.
the most dangerous person to be is a child. If you are not killed in the womb, you could be subject to physical abuse from someone close, or be murdered playing in your yard or house. Neglected by your parents, fall into drugs, bullied by others at school. Few children make it through their childhood without being emotionally scarred. What is sad to me is those who even call themselves Christians do these things and worst. I watched a doc on Scientology recently and was sickened by their mind set on children, actually who that they believe. It certainly is not what God thinks on children. I am glad there are people like you who fight on their behalf. Merry Christmas
Your concern for children is obvious, Betty. I could not have said it better. FYI, Scientology is not a Christian denomination. May God grant children everywhere His protection, and all those who love them His peace.
❤ ❤ AMEN-AMEIN ❤ ❤
❤ ❤ Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua LOVES You ALL ❤ ❤
Thanks so much Sweet Sister in Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua ANNA!! GOD BLESS YOU Sister in Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua ANNA and Your Family and Friends!! ❤
I am a Conservative Christian Republican Patriot in our Judeo-Christian Nation United States of America and I STAND with the Holy Land of Israel-Yisrael!!
Praise Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua – Hallelujah and Maranatha!! Praise Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua HE is RISEN and ALIVE!! HALLELUJAH and MARANTHA!!
( 1 John 4:16 KJV ) and more Blessings!! UPDATED~> ( https://kristiann1.com/2018/02/05/1-john-416-kjv-and-more-blessings/ )!!
Praise Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua – Hallelujah and Maranatha!! REJOICE!!
GOD BLESS ALL my Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and my Messianic Jewish Sisters and Brothers in Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua and my Devout Jewish Sisters and Brothers and Your Families and Friends!!
I am Pro-Israel-Yisrael / Pro-Christian and Jewish People who STAND with the Holy Land of Israel-Yisrael and our Judeo-Christian Nation United States of America / Pro-Zionism / PRO-LIFE!!
( Psalm 129:5 KJV ) “Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.”!! ~> ( https://kristiann1.com/2016/03/16/pfiy/ ) UPDATED!!
Please Pray for Israel-Yisrael / Christian Nation United States of America, and our Christian Earth Everyday “Pray Without Ceasing.” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV )!!
( Psalms 33:12 KJV ) “Blessed is the Nation whose GOD is the LORD; and the People whom HE hath Chosen for HIS Own Inheritance.”!!
Our ONE True GOD’S LOVE 💕💜 is ETERNAL THROUGH HIS SON Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua for Today and Everyday Forevermore!!
I Love you all Everyone through Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua, because HE LOVED 💜💕 EVERYONE FIRST!!
Love 💕 Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Kristi Ann. ❤
Thanks for your comment on my blog with my series on Bible contradictions!
My pleasure.
Thanks!