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A Call for Dads to Step Up

Fatherless upbringing can help doom kids

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 14, 2008 2:10 PM CDT
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(Newser) – As Father’s Day approaches, it’s important to recognize that alarming numbers of America’s youth don’t know their fathers, leaving them feeling like “throwaway people,” writes Juan Williams in the Wall Street Journal. The lack of a dad “to push them, discipline them,” can mean “they give up trying to succeed,” says an author who writes for teens.

“If you are concerned about reducing child poverty,” says an expert, “you have to focus on missing fathers.” Statistics show that 28% of white children, 50% of Hispanic children and a “chilling” 71% of black children are born to single mothers, Williams notes. The absence of a father increases the risk of a child becoming involved with drugs and even of being incarcerated.

Having a father at home can help keep a child in school and away from drugs.
Having a father at home can help keep a child in school and away from drugs.   (Shutterstock)
Having a father can help a child's drive to succeed.
Having a father can help a child's drive to succeed.   (Shutterstock)
Kids who live with their dads are more likely to be read to, more likely to stay in school, and less likely to run afoul of the law.
Kids who live with their dads are more likely to be read to, more likely to stay in school, and less likely to run afoul of the law.   ((c) Javiercit0)
A missing father can make a child feel like a throwaway person.
A missing father can make a child feel like a "throwaway person."   (Shutterstock)
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