Giving single dads a chance
http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/20724952-474/forum-giving-single-dads-a-chance.html
Forum: Giving single dads a chance
Updated: June 14, 2013 10:40PM
There are roughly 24 million children in the United States (or 34 percent) who live apart from their biological father, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. I wonder what kind of profound emotional effect that has on these children being raised by single mothers.
There are about 5.6 million men in prison throughout the U.S., 78 percent of whom grew up in fatherless households. That speaks volumes about the cycle of emotional distress that continually contributes to the psychological dysfunction of many troubled youths today.
When a child is born to parents who are not married to each other, the mother gets custody of the child unless the father goes to court for a different arrangement. While millions of children are growing up in this country without their fathers, single fathers who want to be in their children’s lives are often not given a chance to be there.
While it may be difficult for men to raise kids alone, it’s not impossible for single fathers to do so, as long as they have help. While the reality is that most single fathers don’t have help, many do a great job raising their kids despite the odds.
Single fathers are increasingly taking a more active role in their children’s lives, resulting in fathers bonding more with their children. This Father’s Day, thank God if you have a chance to be a great dad to your children.
William J. Booker
Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood
Chicago