I would agree that every child needs a male father figure while growing up. That does not mean that their biological father is suitable to fulfill these needs.
Well said. I was lucky, my parents divorced when I was six, and my stepfather was the man who raised me. We had a special relationship.
Now I know I haven't been the greatest dad, but I've done two things for my three kids that they can never take away from me: one, I made sure they were born in Texas; two, I taught them how to swim.
Anything else is pure gravy...lol.
It was from that experience (bitter divorce and the hard feelings that existed for years) that I vowed another man would not raise my children. My youngest turns 15 next month, so I've held true to that vow. My MIL was the matriarch of the family, and that attitude carried to her seven daughters. I knew what I was getting into when I got married, i.e. I made that bed long ago.
Wouldn't change a thing.