How. Very. Sad. Indeed.
Sure, some of those fathers might not live with their kids because of divorce; but they're probably good dads, and they do what they can given the housing arrangements. On the other hand, a bigger percentage of those fathers are literally non-existent (and intentionally so) in their kid's lives. Which makes them just fathers, not dads. And that's a gargantuan problem, with alarming consequences.
While the downsides of this heartbreaking reality are too voluminous to count - especially as it impacts the kids - one has to ask what type of jobs, let alone careers, do the fathers have who choose to be absentee dads? And does their work impact their lives in such a way that if they had the right job (let alone career) - they'd be better dads? The answer, of course, is yes. And therein lies both the problem, and part of the solution. In other words, if the guys who father children were given proper training - let alone education - as it pertains to both their job/career AND daddying - then chances are, they will do better at both.
Now, as easy as that is to comprehend and moreover appreciate - it apparently is not that easy to get done, hence the abysmal stats. That's why our schools and universities and the parents who run both - need to do a better job of ensuring that young men get both work, and life related education. Simultaneously. At the same time, young men themselves need to step it up, and take greater accountability, as well.
No doubt, that's easier said than done. After all, the list of issues, let alone potential remedies, is long and full of debate. That said, one fundamental and undebatable truth is this: it's critically important to interweave job/career skills training and education, with life/parenting skills training and education. In fact, let's make that work/life "learning duality" a mandate. A must. A matter-of-fact expectation. No "ifs" "ors" or "buts" about it. If we can ensure that our young men can be good dads (let alone good parents) - then it stands to reason that those same young men will do better at work, and enjoy better careers. Taken together, these young men will then live better lives, which will better their families, communities and society at large.
Turning Fathers to Dads is Good.
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