Fairweather, you're under the mistaken impression that that statistic means that the father wasn't in the home. Many people, including several friends of mine, don't feel the need to have a piece of paper to validate their relationship. They live together and raise a family quite happily w/o ever getting married.
I believe it's exceedingly important for a child to have an active father, preferably in the same home. not believing that marriage is mandatory doesn't mean believing in irresponsible parenting. sheesh!