The Importance of Fathers: A Call to Address Absentee Fatherhood
Introduction:
– Introduce the topic of absentee fatherhood and its impact on children and society
– Explain the relevance of Father’s Day and the need to pay tribute to fathers, grandfathers, and great grandfathers
The Decline of Fatherhood:
– Discuss the alarming statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau on the number of children growing up without a father
– Highlight the significant increase in fatherless homes since 1968
– Emphasize the negative consequences of absentee fatherhood, such as youth suicides, homelessness, behavioral disorders, high school dropout rates, and substance abuse
– Address the role of absentee fathers in the rise of gangs
The Ease of Divorce and Unmarried Parenthood:
– Discuss the ease of divorce and its impact on father-child relationships
– Share insights from a jurist friend on the reasons behind many divorce cases
– Highlight the rising number of unmarried parents living with children in the United States according to the Pew Research Center
– Draw attention to the importance of parental dedication and commitment regardless of marital status
The Value of Fatherhood:
– Share personal anecdotes about the author’s father and the lessons learned from him
– Emphasize the hard work and sacrifices made by fathers for the betterment of their children’s lives
– Discuss the importance of discipline, respect, and family values instilled by fathers
– Explain the lasting impact of a father’s influence and guidance on children
The Role of Grandparenting:
– Reflect on the transformation of the author’s father from a strict parent to a doting and indulgent grandfather
– Discuss the role of grandparents in shaping a child’s perspective and understanding of family dynamics
– Emphasize the importance of maintaining strong relationships across different generations
An Engaging Additional Piece:
The Changing Definition of Fatherhood in the Modern World:
– Explore how societal changes and cultural shifts have redefined the role of fathers
– Discuss the increasing involvement of fathers in child-rearing and household responsibilities
– Highlight the importance of emotional support and nurturing provided by fathers in a child’s development
The Impact of Absentee Fatherhood on Relationships:
– Discuss how absentee fatherhood can contribute to issues in romantic relationships and marriages
– Explore the potential psychological effects on individuals who grew up without a father figure
– Provide tips and advice for individuals who struggle with the absence of a father in their lives
Father Figures and Role Models:
– Discuss the significance of father figures and role models in the absence of biological fathers
– Highlight the importance of mentorship programs and community support for children without fathers
– Share success stories of individuals who found guidance and support from father figures
Promoting Responsible Fatherhood:
– Discuss the need for societal initiatives to promote responsible fatherhood and support fathers in their parenting roles
– Highlight programs, organizations, and government policies aimed at addressing absentee fatherhood
– Discuss the importance of education, counseling, and resources for fathers to be actively involved in their children’s lives
Conclusion and Summary:
– Recap the main points discussed in the article, including the consequences of absentee fatherhood and the value of fatherhood
– Emphasize the need for society to collectively address the issue of absentee fatherhood
– Provide a call to action for promoting responsible fatherhood and supporting fathers in their important role in the lives of children
Summary:
This article delves into the concerning issue of absentee fatherhood and its impact on children and society. It highlights the alarming statistics on the number of children growing up without a father and the negative consequences associated with it. The article examines the reasons behind the decline of fatherhood, including the ease of divorce and the rise of unmarried parenthood. It also sheds light on the value of fatherhood, sharing personal anecdotes about the author’s father and the lessons learned from him. Additionally, the article delves into the changing definition of fatherhood in the modern world and the importance of father figures and role models in the absence of biological fathers. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for society to promote responsible fatherhood and support fathers in their crucial role in the lives of children.
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Dick Yarbrough
Syndicated columnist
I have been called a lot of things in my long life — not all of them complimentary — but one of the most satisfying is being called Dad. It is a sobriquet I earned with the considerable involvement of the beloved Woman Who Shared My Name. It was teamwork at its finest, although I will admit she had the tougher part of the job. Birthing babies is not for the faint of heart.
This brings me to June 18. Father’s Day. A time to pay tribute to all fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers out there. But, alas, it is also a time of concern. Where have all the fathers gone?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 25% of our youth today are growing up without a father in the home. That is a staggering 18.5 million children. In 1968, 85% of children under 18 lived with two parents in 1968.
By 2020, 70% did.
A report by the U.S. Department of Justice says that children from fatherless homes account for 63% of youth suicides, 90% of all homeless and runaway youths, 85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders, 71% of all high school dropouts and 75% of adolescent patients in substance abuse centers. And, I would presume, is a major factor behind the rise of gangs.
At the risk of sounding like the fossil I really am, it is easier to get a divorce than it is to work out the differences with each other. A jurist friend of mine who has presided over innumerable divorce cases says many times the dispute is over money, not the ultimate welfare of the children. Children become a secondary issue.
This assumes, of course, that they were married in the first place.
The Pew Research Center says that today one-in-four parents living with a child in the United States today are unmarried.
Fifty years ago, the number was fewer than one-in- 10. My brother and I didn’t get to pick my parents, but we agree we got two good ones and are the better for it. Our father left home at 16 with only a seventh-grade education and took a job with the Railway Express Agency.
In his 49-and-a-half years with the company, he missed exactly three weeks of work and that was due to an emergency appendectomy that kept him hospitalized. Today, I suspect this probably would be outpatient surgery — if they still even remove the appendix — and I have no doubt he would have left the doctor’s office and gone straight to work.
His was never a 9-to-5 job. He worked all kinds of shifts — sometimes daytime, sometimes evenings, sometimes overnight. He wasn’t around to celebrate a lot of holidays. We didn’t go fishing together or play catch in the yard. He was usually working. But we knew he loved us and we appreciated his sacrifices to give his sons a better life than the one he had known as a child. And he did. That both his boys were college graduates who did well in their respective careers was a source of great pride to him.
My father was never my pal. He was always my father. He was a man of few words, but those words were not subject to debate. Those words were law. His law. And we obeyed. My brother and I said “sir” and “ma’am” to all adults, ate everything on our plate and then asked our mother to be excused from the table when we had finished, remembering to thank her, as well.
He set a high bar for me as a father without intending to. He was just being himself. A quiet, simple man who taught me about the value of hard work, loyalty to those who employed me, and family first and always. He has been gone for some time now, but I revere him and his memory as do my own children, who have a hard time believing that their doting avuncular grandfather was the no-nonsense man I had described growing up. Grandparenting will do that to a person.
I don’t know what kind of grade my kids would give me as a father. Now that they have their own children and grandchildren, they are rightfully focused on the future, not the past. But even at this late stage of my life hearing them call me Dad is an honor and a privilege.
I only wish more children today could have that experience.
You can reach Dick Yarbrough at dick@dick yarbrough.com; at P.O.
Box 725373, Atlanta, GA 31139 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ dickyarb.
https://coastalcourier.com/opinion/dick-yarbrough-look-fathers-past-and-present/
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