Fathers Day...

I know this is a little late...since Fathers Day was Sunday and all...but, I saw the results of a study done about fathers involvement with their kids.  Although there were a lot of statistics in the study....the most telling was that 30% of all fathers are "absentee fathers".  What this means is...30% of all fathers have not seen there kids for 12 months or more.  How is that even possible???!!  This study does not differentiate between young children and adult children.  So, lets consider MAYBE 10% of these dads have children above the age of 18...and the children are the ones deciding to not see their dads.  (This was NOT a statistic of the study...so, I am just throwing a % out there).  This leaves 20% of dad's out there who are choosing to not see their kids.  This % crosses all racial boundaries and is consistent among the races.  This says to me, that it is not a black/white issue.  It is a HUMAN issue.  Anyone who reads my blog knows that I am divorced.  However, I make sure that I not only TALK to my daughter every day, but see her every weekend (unless it is impossible to do so).  I talk to her about school, homework, her friends and also talk to her about behavior and punishment.  I may not see her everyday...but, I am sure I make every effort to know what she is doing every day.  In today's world, more and more families are single parent households.  But, just because the households are single parent, does not mean the child has to be single parented.  It is absolutely imperative that both a father and a mother are in the child's life and are part of the raising of the child.  The parents may hate each other...but, is that the child's fault? No.  Remember...a father is not someone who makes the baby...a father is someone who raises the child.  If you are one...then my hats off to you...if you are not, but should be...its never too late.  Make the effort...everyone is better off when we all make the effort.