The effects of fatherless homes are showing and the problem is growing. It’s an epidemic to say the least, and it’s gotten outlandish as kids roam the streets like beasts. If you are part of the problem, you can’t be the solution. With so many fatherless children in America, it’s time for revolution.

Dads are the difference makers, and if you don’t believe me, just ask your Maker. With dads comes a gift; without them you live under a curse. If you don’t believe me, you should read your Bible. When it comes to fatherless children, their pain has no rival. Fathers matter whether it’s the third Sunday in June or not — just talk to a fatherless son or daughter and they’ll show you all they’ve got, which isn’t a lot.

“And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” —Malachi 4:6

“It’s easier to raise strong children than to repair broken men.” —Frederick Douglass

“If a father is not in the home, the boy will find one in the streets.” —Denzel Washington

We must do all we can to help encourage fathers to be more involved with their children’s lives.

Read these sobering statistics on fatherlessness:

• 90% of all homeless and runaways come from fatherless homes
• 85% of all fatherless children exhibit behavioral disorders
• 85% of youth in prison come from fatherless homes
• 75% of adolescents being treated for drug abuse are from fatherless homes
• 75% of adolescent patients in substance abuse centers don’t have involved dads
• 75% of rapists motivated by misplaced anger don’t have a dad while growing up
• 71% of all high school dropouts don’t have a dad
• 70% of juveniles in state-regulated institutions come from fatherless homes
• 63% of youth who commit suicide do not have a father in the home
• 57% of the fatherless homes are black households, 31% are hispanic households have a 31% and 20% are white households.

Working with juveniles in detention over the years has been has confirmed what I knew statistically, that dads are critical to the well being of the next generation. Without exception, 99% of black juveniles I work with have no involved fathers. Fathers provoke their children to wrath and discouragement when they exit stage right and leave them behind.

This Father’s Day weekend, an estimated 24.7 million children (33%) live absent their biological fathers.

More specifically, 57.6% of black children, 31.2% of Hispanic children, and 20.7% of white children are living absent their biological fathers. I pledge to honor my children with my presence, love, and discipline. And even if you get a pair of socks this weekend, count it all joy. It could be worse.

Correction: The article previously misstated the percentage of suicides.