Posted on 05/21/2006 11:55:33 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
I didn't state that I was raised without a father. You must have someone else in mind. I had a great dad, and he taught me how to be a great dad.
And you know what? When you're a dad, there are always, always, always, kids around who are begging for some "daddy" attention. They stand out early, because they have to get their daddy fix from coaches and such.
People who think children raised without dads are not missing something HUGE are wrong.
That is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you know my mom? LOL!
The question was which of the two deserved MORE sympathy, and that is clearly the accident.
As for your request for stats, try google.
You're right I mistook you for another poster in this thread. I am sorry.
BTW, what is wrong with getting some Daddy attention by other male positive role models?
I understand how disconcerting it can be to find yourself unqualified to discuss something you previously thought yourself competent. Nevertheless, in familial matters, as opposed to romantic matters, it is nonetheless, true.
I agree 100%. Kids are not made out of thin air. I suppose thanks to the IVF clinics they can make that appear to be so :(
I was a single parent due to a horrible and necessary divorce. I raised two children alone, right from the start. It is impossible (almost) to be mother and father to children, as well as the sole financial, educational, emotional, spiritual, etcetcetc support. The children absolutely feel that something is missing with only one parent. Raising children is a two parent job. Some people manage fine, most don't. If there is a supportive extended family, even better. I didn't have that.
If someone is a single parent due to widowhood, it is totally different. They know Daddy (or Mommy) is not there because he can't be, not because he doesn't give a shit.
You make a good point, because I noticed that when I was growing up. All the neighborhood boys seemed to seek out my dad.........and all of them were in 2 parent homes but raising the kids was considered Mom's job and Dad needn't be involved. For years it annoyed the crap out of me because my dad was forever dealing with Little League and this and that while the other dads sat on the front steps shooting the breeze. That was back in the 60s and 70s.
In 1974/75 I was a 14 year old 9th grader helping coach Little League teams. Here it is 2006 and now I have a child in Little League and we have so many volunteers my husband is disappointed he's only been asked to help out at a practice once, and I'm not needed (so far) to man the concession booth.
And for those of us who have not yet been married and faithful for 20 years? We don't know what love is?
Nothing is wrong with providing some "daddy" attention to kids who need it, but a few minutes here and there of one on one attention is no substitute for the EXAMPLE a good dad makes. His example is what he teaches.
I learned fidelity and responsibility from my father, and my sons learned it from me.
MOST of the problem we face today regarding parenting is simply lousy fathers, men who don't meet the responsibility.
"MOST of the problem we face today regarding parenting is simply lousy fathers, men who don't meet the responsibility."
Which most of agreed way way earlier on in this thread.
I'm just an old guy who has been around a couple of blocks.
And for those of us who have not yet been married and faithful for 20 years? We don't know what love is?
If you start re-hashing Foreigner lyrics I'm outta here...
"If women waited for Mr. Right, not only would they get more out of life, there children would as well."
Well sometimes Mr. Right never comes along. Does that mean women should just resign themselves to being childless?
Is there a particular reason you have chosen to ignore the distinction between 'familial' and 'romantic'?
Nevertheless, no, unless you have either performance, or share the values and judgement of the majority of those who do have performance, you do not know what 'love' is.
Well.............yeah. Or she should get the message, she is either "looking for love in all the wrong places" or perhaps not seeing it when it's right in front of her.
We disagree.
Well sometimes Mr. Right never comes along. Does that mean women should just resign themselves to being childless?
No, of course they shouldn't "just resign themselves..." they should wear signs proclaiming the fact, post it as the outgoing message on their answering machine, and set up booths answering questions about it at the local mall. They should be forced by law to give lectures at the local high school under the program called "Scared Married" similar to Scared Straight, and do public service announcements on TV.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.