Fathers aren't dispensable just yet

This story is a fascinating “take” on the differences between mothers and fathers, and possibly relevant to the debate over same sex parenting….

by Linda Geddes

YOU may be tempted to think men are becoming an optional extra in the mating game, but biochemical evidence in mice and people suggests that fathers may play a key role in the rearing of offspring. Previous studies have hinted at the importance of fathers in child-rearing. Some have shown that girls reach puberty younger, become sexually active earlier and are more likely to get pregnant in their teens if their father was absent when they were young. Others have suggested that the sons of absent fathers display lower intimacy and self-esteem.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327184.000-fathers-arent-dispensable-just-yet.html

For the men Pt II

Sheila Liaugminas

The feminization of society has taken a serious toll not only on boys but on families. Men need a boost.
NRO has a couple of them in two illuminating articles.
This one on manliness is a ’survival guide’ for the guys. And a darned interesting one. KJ Lopez interviews Frank Mintier about his new book.
I devoured Harvey Mansfield’s book Manliness. It’s a book that looks back across time to historically document the dismantling of manliness. Along the way it effectively defines manliness, and it articulates why so much in our modern culture is attacking masculinity. It’s a fine book. My book, on the other hand, is the antidote to the trend Mansfield so well outlines. The Ultimate Man’s Survival Guide is a how-to guide to becoming a hero, gentleman, survivor, philosopher, and more by tapping masters of different disciplines to teach the skills, philosophy, and bearing a well-rounded man should attain.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/for_the_men_pt_ii/

75% of Americans say that being a dad is a man's most important job

Elijah Friedeman

According to a new Rasmussen poll, 75% of Americans think that "being a father is the most important role a man can fill in today’s world."
The poll also said that 14% disagree and 12% say they aren't sure.
Men were more likely than women to say that a man's most important job is being a dad with 78% of men and 72% of women agreeing.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=573296

Five Myths on Fathers and Family

By W. Bradford Wilcox

With Father’s Day almost upon us, expect a host of media stories on men and family life. Some will do a good job of capturing the changes and continuities associated with fatherhood in contemporary America. But other reporters and writers will generalize from their own unrepresentative networks of friends and family members, try to baptize the latest family trend, or assume that our society is heading ceaselessly in a progressive direction. So be on the lookout this week for stories, op-eds, and essays that include these five myths on contemporary fatherhood and family life.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZTg3OTc1MWUwNDExZTI4MGZiMGMyY2UyZGU5ZTMwOGM=

A role the government can’t fill

Carolyn Moynihan

Inspiring words from the Commander-in-Chief during a young men’s barbecue at the White House on Friday. Students from local schools came to discuss the importance of fatherhood and taking personal responsibility with President Obama and other famous fathers.

http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/a_role_the_government_cant_fill/

Reliable dads deserve respect

Rebecca Hagelin

Recently I saw a MasterCard commercial in which a preteen son arrogantly "teaches" the father environmental lessons while grocery shopping. Right
After the son shows Dad the silly Earth-preserving "importance" of buying a reusable grocery bag, the tag line appears: "Helping your dad become a better man? Priceless."

Such subtle messages about the supremacy of children over their dads are now common. Turn on the television and watch just about any channel for one evening and a particularly disgusting pattern begins to emerge: The "dad" is often portrayed as wimpy, ignorant and doltish. Everyone is smarter and more mature than Dad is. Nearly everyone else is also more attractive and physically fit. You would think that all fathers have actually become Homer Simpson.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/reliable_dads_deserve_respect/

What we need is a fatherhood revolution

Warwick Marsh
The times they are a-changing. Being a dad is becoming cool.
Father's Day 2009 is being celebrated with a renewed sense of vigour and excitement. Fathers and children are appearing in more advertisements. The media are running father-friendly stories. Restaurants are booked out for Father's Day as well as Mother's Day.

When the Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation was formed in 2002 to help and encourage Australian dads, our television community service advertisements were initially threatened with a black ban by the Advertising Standards Board. Political correctness ruled the day and fathers were incorrect. This would not happen today. Fatherhood has become sexy, a newspaper here said recently. A quick squiz at pop culture supports this optimistic statement.

Take the 2003 film Finding Nemo. That was a story about a father fish looking for his son. Amazingly, it is well inside the top 20 grossing movies of all time. Just a bit further down that list are other popular movies with positive fatherhood themes: I am Sam, Dear Frankie, The Incredibles, Night at the Museum, Pursuit of Happyness, and the brilliant Australian movie with Eric Bana, Romulus My Father. Even Snoop Dogg is cashing in on the fatherhood revival with his Father Hood TV show.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/what_we_need_is_a_fatherhood_revolution/

Tiger Woods: ‘Nothing beats fun with the kids’

Carolyn Moynihan
What is it about golf and fatherhood? Jack Nicklaus was the super dad(of five) of his day. A few years ago it New Zealand whiz-kid MichaelCampbell who carried the torch for family life. Now it’s Tiger Woods,poster boy for Father’s Day as he delights in the recent expansion ofhis family.

http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/tiger_woods_nothing_beats_fun_with_the_kids/

Dear Dad, it’s been a long time…

Carolyn Moynihan
Father’s Day is celebrated this Sunday in the United States but thereare a great many families where dad is alienated from mum and/or hischildren. So the Ruth Institute has come up with a reconciliationproposal for these families, suggesting that “now would be a good timeto pick up the phone, or write a short note, opening the door forfurther communication.”

http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/dear_dad_its_been_a_long_time/

Getting Ready for Father's Day

Dr. Morse and the Ruth Institute is gearing up for Father's Day in a different way. Do you have a father/ex-husband/estranged child it may be time to reconcile with? Check out the Ruth site here for help: http://ruthinstitute.org/fathersday/index.html

Also, we're compiling a list of the best movies to watch on Father's Day, ones that encompass what it means to be a real dad. Leave your favorite picks in the comment section. We'll post the top choices just before Father's Day.

Obama's Faith-Based Adviser Urges Challenge to ‘Heteronormative' Fatherhood

By Fred Lucas, Staff Writer

(CNSNews.com) - A controversial member of President Barack Obama’s faith-based council said that part of the administration’s role in promoting responsible fatherhood should include moving beyond America’s “heteronormative view of fatherhood.”
Harry Knox, appointed last month to the 25-member President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, has drawn fire for inflammatory comments about the Catholic Church and Pope Benedict XVI.

http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=48232