Wall Street Journal Article

This past Saturday (June 14th, 2008) the Wall Street Journal ran an article titled, “The Tragedy of America’s Disappearing Fathers.”  Juan Williams wrote of the terrible and growing trend of children growing up without the benefit of their fathers.  The article gave some statistics similar to the ones we show on the Dadsworld.com main page.  It also goes on to talk about how far reaching the effects are when a child grows up without a father.  It comfirms my own personal belief (which is born out of a considerable amount of research), that the greatest problem we face in America is the fragmentation of the family. 

Children who grow up without Fathers “feel like they have been thrown away.”  “They don’t have a father to push them, discipline them, and they give up trying to succeed… they don’t see themselves as wanted.”

28% of white children are born out of wedlock to single mothers.  Among hispanic children it’s 50% and it reaches a staggering 71% for black children.    This is a dramatic difference from 40 years ago.  In 1960, only 2% of white children and 24% of black children were born to single mothers.

Having a Dad is now the ticket to a successful life.  The odds increase dramatically for children to get into college, achieve financial success, enjoy psychological stability when they are raised in a 2 parent (Mom and Dad) family.

“If you are concerned about child poverty, then your focus should be on missing fathers.”  Roland Warren, President of the National Fatherhood Initiative.

Children without Dads will have more contact with the drug culture, the police and jail.  Even in kindergarden, children living with single parents trail children with two parents when it comes to health, cognitive skills and emotional maturity.  “They are in the back of the bus before the bus – their life- even gets going.”

We need to step up as a nation and change our priorities.  Family must come first.  If you are not willing or able to make that commitment, then do not have children.  Too much political correctness has led to people not being willing to talk about the real problems we have!

When I read in Parenting magazine a comment from a reader who was offended that a writer was touting the value of an intact family I knew I was living in Bizarro land.  She said that, “my boyfriend and I love each other and our baby as much as any married couple.”  Well, let me say that first of all that might be true.  But, I am troubled by the lack of commitment there.  And the facts show that marriage is the best invention for the security, health and well-being of children.  Married couples and co-habitating couples don’t even compare.  I know that Hollywood and pop-culture loves to run down marriage and romanticize co-habitation, but it’s JUST NOT TRUE.  It’s a lie.  And it’s destroying our country.

If you haven’t reviewed our statistics tab on the Dadsworld.com home page in a while, I encourage you to do so.

 Let’s get the word out that strong families are essential to our survival.  Having a loving and supportive family is also very cool, fun and healthy. 

Men, make a commitment to take responsibility for what you CHOSE to create.  A new life.  Be the Dad, and be involved.

Women, please choose wisely when searching for a mate.  The kind of man who might be attractive physically or financially, may NOT be a good husband, father or life partner.  Look beyond the obvious for people of substance. 

Can’t we learn from other people?  Can’t we make real substantial changes and better our quality of life for ourselves and our children?  Or are we as humans destined to remain at the same level, only to slowly decline to the lowest common denominator?  At the moment, the latter seems more accurate.

Help Dadsworld.com spread our message and make a difference in the world.  Be the best parent you can be.  Make a commitment and do not falter.  Your children, and mine, are counting on you.

Tags: co-habitation, dad, dadsworld, dadsworld.com, family, hollywood, mom, national fatherhood initiative, parenting magazine, pop-culture, wall street journal