ECONOMIC SOUL
June 11, 2007 - vol. V
 

This Friday June 15th
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS EVENT.

GREAT MUSIC!
GREAT CAUSES!

CLICK FLYER

The Foundation took over 300 kids from St. Louis to Columbia for a Mizzou Tigers Game

If you want great seats, have fun, network with a great group of people, and raise money for some great local causes.  Join We Care Worldwide & the Friends of Economic Soul for a Night of NEO JAZZ.  Call Steve @ 314-414-2900 ext. 5

What Has Happened to Black Love?
 

• Almost 70% of black children are being raised in single parent homes.
• Only about 52% of black women will marry by the age of 30, as opposed to 81% of white women.
• Only 47% of married, black men consider themselves “happily married,” as opposed to 63% of white, married men.

What has happened to our community, where we cannot sustain our relationships long enough to raise healthy, intelligent, prosperous children? Our men have greater desires outside the home, and our women care more about a man’s cash, than his character. The traditional roles of men being the bread winners and head-of-households, have been replaced by single mothers working two, sometimes three jobs to make ends meet. Many women have given up on the idea of real love, and replaced it with the need for a man who can help out financially.  

Having a working man to help support the household is beneficial, but it does not automatically translate into longevity or a “happy home”. It’s sad to admit, but a disproportionate percentage of our men are uneducated, have been incarcerated, prefer other men, or are too busy chasing dreams or multiple women. So often, our women have to raise their families without a positively-influential father in the home. 

As women spend more time raising children alone, they become great providers and loving mothers, but have no idea how to accept a man into their lives. We all know women who boast about being both mother and father, love their independence, and laugh in the face of a man who tries to stand strong beside them. Thus, many men are turned off or scared off by the threat of having to compete with his woman for head-of-household.    

How do we address these issues?  Unfortunately, most programs today are designed to help one sex or the other. The government makes sure children have food, housing, and healthcare as long as Daddy is not around.  Many programs for black men focus on fathers with excessive child support debt, men with substance abuse problems, or misguided youngsters who can be convinced to fight in a senseless war. 

We need more programs designed to bring men and women together; teach young lovers how to develop and sustain a healthy marriage/family; and show them how to support, not turn on one another, during the rough times. Although there is no fool-proof method for all couples, one group is getting the ball rolling.  

CHYL Entertainment (pronounced “chill”), based in St. Louis, Missouri hosts lively monthly sessions for singles and couples to explore issues that cause problems in black relationships.  These entertaining discussions are conducted in a familiar, laid-back atmosphere and include free food and drinks, music, fun and a great opportunity to network.  For more information, contact Aeesha Bell at (314) 497-3155, or go to www.chylentertainment.com for details about the next session.