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Summary
David Blankenhorn a leader in the fatherhood movement with his 1995 book entitled Fatherless America states that: "Tonight, nearly 40 percent of all children in America will go to bed in a home without their father available to read them a bedtime story, bring them a glass of water, and give them a good night kiss. The following facts are provided by the Virginia Fatherhood Initiative: 85% of all youths in prisons grew up in a fatherless home, 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes, 70% of juveniles in state operated institutions are from fatherless homes, 71% of pregnant teenagers are from fatherless homes, 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes, 75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers are from fatherless homes, 71% of all high school dropouts are from fatherless homes, 85% of children that exhibit antisocial or behavioral disorders are from fatherless homes. In a Department of Education report, Fathers Involvement in Their Children's Schools released by Vice-President Al Gore on October 2, 1997, the results show that children whose fathers are actively involved in their education are more likely to enjoy school, get As, and participate in extracurricular activities and that fathers have a powerful role to play in single parent families when it comes to keeping children from being expelled or suspended from school. A young child or teenager going out into the mad, mad world, with the knowledge that he or she is of worth and great importance to two individuals, can help the child resist the temptations to do drugs, alcohol, join gangs, demand attention in disruptive ways, or participate in violence. Just by staying away from alcohol, drugs, violence, and by earning an honest living, he makes their home a better than average place to grow up in. Unfortunately, the role of fathers has been down graded in our society. In addition to the importance of providing for ones family, a divorced father can do many things to be involved in his child life and let him or her know how he cares by making his children a priority. He must commit to spend his time with them, affirm and compliment them, show his love for them, make what is important to them important to him, serve them, show his affection for them, love their mother, teach them, respect them, and be an example to them of positive characteristics. Suzanne Smitley, PhD, a clinical psychologist suggest, "What's important is that fathers are willing to spend time with their children in any activities that can be tailored to the child developmental level, praising them, enjoying each others company, collaborating". There have been many cases of success stories from parents who refused to give in. Marian Sandmaier in her article "The Great Divide: More Than Love" explains, "These parents have been baffled--even stymied--by the worlds their sons and daughters inhabit, and along the way have mad costly mistakes. A father can make his work place more "family/father-friendly" by initiating fatherhood education seminars, lobbying for paternal leave and flex-time, implementing a "Child to Work Day," and increasing his co workers awareness and appreciation of the role of fatherhood.