Here is some interesting statistics taken from Usa Today titled" What can be done about Absentee Fathers" by Ron Klinger:
The fastest growing subpopulation of absentee fathers is unmarried men. Each year in the U.S., more than 1,000,000 babies are born to unwed mothers.
The growing divorce rate magnifies the trend of fatherless families. About 40% of kids whose parents are divorced have not seen their father in at least a year. Ten years after divorce, more than two-thirds of those living with their mother haven't seen their father for a year.
This is very alarming to read that the number of children are growing up without their fathers. It is my belief that both male and female child need their fathers in their lives. It saddens me deeply that men are not standing in there rightful places as fathers. I recently took a four hour parenting class that is mandated when parents are going through a divorce with children. I sat and listened to some of the men who shared their dilemmas in their divorce and how some felt they were being snatched away from their children. One paticular man shared his heart with the class. He told us how he has not seen his 10 month old baby his first child since his wife walked out on him for quite some time. He was deeply hurt by this. I sat there in total shock and sadness for this father who have not seen his first child in several months. I thought to myself how could this woman just snatch this father's child from him and it be okay.
From this experience and my own current situation as I am "Father" going through a divorce. I wanted to do something to put a different light on men who are "Fathering their Children". We do exist. We are not just child support payers. We spend time with our children. We Color, paint, bake in the EASY BAKE Oven, we know how to wash and braid hair, We are involve in their schools, and we take our daughters to church. This list can very well go on and on. Really the point of this is that I want to again shed some light to fathers who are fathering their children. There are so much light on men who are not fathering their children and are referenced as "Deadbeats". You rarely here about the man who is taking care of their responsiblity who I reference as the Champion Father. We do exist.
Fathers shine in you babies lives. Get involved. Dont give up on your children and if you are dealing with the legal system....Fight for your rights. We also have to encourage our other Brothers to get Involve with children and stop making fatherless children. Lets break this cycle and lets support each other.
