NOW Demands Access to Program Geared to Fathers

The Washington Post ^ | 03/29/2007 | Christopher Lee

[Bluestateredman]

NOW Demands Access to Program Geared to Fathers By Christopher Lee Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, March 29, 2007; 11:30 AM

It's called the Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Initiative, and the Bush administration doles out up to $50 million annually to fund its programs to build job skills and help fathers connect better with their children. But the National Organization for Women says the effort is illegal because it's only about men. NOW and Legal Momentum, another advocacy group, filed complaints yesterday with the Department of Health and Human Services alleging sex discrimination in the initiative that is funding about 100 programs this year. The complaints cite 34 programs, including one run by the District and two others in the Washington area, that, they say, do not offer the services to women.

[jdub]

what exactly does the "WIC" program stand for?????

[Frank_2001]

LOL! Yes, they were the 185-pound gals with the bulletproof eyeglasses that we should have dated in high school, but didn't, instead allowing them to sit in the library and stew. Moral: Be nice to the "appearance-challenged", or they might get nasty;)

[bubbacluck]

Women, infants, children.

[night reader]

NOW rhymes with sow.

Rush says NOW is trying to reintroduce the Equal Rights Amendment. It's time to organize the National Effort to Veto Equal Rights (NEVER).

[AFreeBird]

Can't wait for Ann Coulter's column! Wanna make any bets...

Bet on what; that she'll put the NAGs (for those in Rio Linda: National Association of Gals) panties in a knot and send them running home to mommy?

Not taking that bet.

[montag813]

What about "WIC"? Can men gain access to that too?

[montag813]

filed complaints yesterday with the Department of Health and Human Services alleging sex discrimination in the initiative that is funding about 100 programs this year

HUD should simply reply that, no, it is not discrimination. They are programs for "fathers". If you are not a father, it does not apply to you. Period.

[Ludicrous]

"So, when is NOW going to call for the inclusion of fathers in the WIC program"

Maybe when the first pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding man appears and applies? Meanwhile, low income fathers of infants or children less than age 5 are still eligible.

[unixfox]

W.I.C.

Women, Infants, Children.

[Kay Ludlow]

There are a lot of programs men can't gain access to. Programs for the depressed, programs for job training, programs for people who've been abused - in our area, at any rate, just try getting access to any of those if you're a man. What about all the government sponsored programs to get girls interested in Math and Science? Engineering Camp for girls only? Those are discriminatory government sponsored programs. I say this as a parent of a boy and a girl who were in the same grade in school - I saw all the stuff they sent home for girls.

[pabianice]

Apparently NOW's outrage over this issue has so taken-up their time that they have not had a chance to condemn the Muslims' blowing-up their own children in Iraq...

[LexBaird]

Meanwhile, low income fathers of infants or children less than age 5 are still eligible.

Not according to the WIC website.

[Centurion2000]

But the National Organization for Women says the effort is illegal because it's only about men

So where's the protests against Planned Parenthood? After all it's only about women.

[Hi Heels]

and nohow.

[Bommer]

The complaints cite 34 programs, including one run by the District and two others in the Washington area, that, they say, do not offer the services to women.

Fine let women join to be better fathers. Maybe they won't b!tch so much when the toilet seat is left up! 8*P

[mucrospirifer]

When I clicked on the link to go to the Washington Post website, on the bottom of the page with the article are these three "Ads by Google":

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Interesting.

[SampleMan]

The extreme irony of NOW being upset about something that is set up exclusively for one sex is rich.

[politicalwit]

I think most of the "Now Cows" pee standing up. Toilet lid isn't a problem for them.

[gidget7]

Well after all, NOW can't have any programs to make men better fathers, that would end a whole lot of stuff now lobbies for. Imagine, spousal abuse coming to an end, or fathers staying with their wives and children and supporting them. Why who would be left for the NAGS to protect and elevate to victim status, who would be left on the welfare dolls?

NOW doesn't even want decreases in these numbers. There whole stereotype of men might be at stake if these organization take off and are successful! What would they complain about? Their jobs might even be at steak! LOL

If they want to be "allowed in", the want to be there to nag, thereby upset the applecart. Like tell them how to do it.

[Ludicrous]

Fathers CAN get WIC for their children. Nothing on that site excludes men from applying. In fact, it has a link to the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement.

Don't get me wrong, I think NOW should be supportive of Programs for Fathers and not try to usurp them. Programs that strenghten father-child relationships are beneficial to all family members (including the Moms, indirectly). But WIC is about childrens nutrition. Which is directly affected by their mothers' nutrition (in the case of pregnant or breastfeeding). Wouldn't you agree that fathers are indirect beneficiaries of the program if it enhances their wife and child's nutrition? Besides, after the milk, cereal and juice are purchased with the WIC checks, it is undoubtedly consumed by men in the household as well.