Divorce, unwed parenting cost taxpayers billions

  A study conducted by four pro-marriage groups shows that divorce and unwed parenting cost taxpayers over $112 billion a year.
  The groups, the New York-based Institute for American Values, the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, Families Northwest of Redmond, Washington, and the Georgia Family Council, said they hoped this study would encourage lawmakers to invest in marriage building.
  David Blankenhorn, president of the Institute for American Values, said the study shows that divorce and unwed childbearing are bad for more than just the children and families involved. “We keep hearing this from state legislators, ‘Explain to me why this is any of my business? Aren’t these private matters?’” Blankenhorn said. “Take a look at these numbers and tell us if you still have any doubt.”
  Pamela Smock, a University of Michigan sociologist, said she preferred that the government help the children of broken families by increasing funding for education. “We’re now nearing 40% of kids in America born out of wedlock. I can’t fathom that those marriage programs, even with increased investment, are going to reduce that.”
  Two states, Oklahoma and Texas, have earmarked money for marriage-building programs, but statistics aren’t conclusive on the programs’ effectiveness.
  www.onenewsnow.com, 4/15/08