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Human fathers generally lack the instinct to care for their offspring. The same is true for many other mammal species.
Historically, the solution to this problem was to give fathers *absolute power* over their wives and children, so that fathers would stick around and shoulder the burden of family life. The only thing men crave as much as sex is power and authority over others, so that arrangement kind of worked. It wasn’t so great for all of the battered and abused women and children, but at least they had food and a roof overhead.
Like it or not, that was the traditional “social contract” in most societies until the 1960s and 70s. Now, the government has things like child support to make sure that offspring can survive. Not ideal, but it probably means fewer battered wives and children.
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"This too shall pass. But possibly, like a kidney stone."
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This is from 2019, and the trend seems to be looking better than in the 90's and earlier 2000's.
A very small percentage are completely absent from their minor children's lives, 6% of all dads.
4/5 live with some of their children, or live part time with their children. (shared custody)
Nearly 3/4 of dads, according to the census, live with all their minor children.
So not nearly as bleak as the picture was for those kids who are now entering adulthood or are in adulthood as far as having no dads to raise them.
Looks like the corner has turned, and men's organizations can be credited for whipping them into shape and making them realize they're needed, and duty-bound.
This is slightly off-topic, but my 22-year-old daughter is now working at my company. Since we have been allowed to return to work, I work from the office once every 2-to 3 weeks just to get out of the house. When I am in the office, we have lunch together.
I walked her back to her classroom and her supervisor stepped out to chat. He asked me, "How did you get you're daughter to like you"? I laughed but he was serious. He said that his daughters are standoffish to him and don't act like they want to be around him but my daughter acts as if she adores me. It was a hell of a compliment.
I don't know of a single thing that I've done to "get" my daughter to like me. It's just that being an engaged father has been the greatest joy of my life. I love being a Dad. I don't know how anyone could have a child and not be engaged in their life.
We have plenty of fathers; problem is, too many hit the road once a pregnancy is revealed/baby is born.
Tragic, really. The products (children) of the "hit and run" and remaining parent - and we, the taxpayers - are left holding the bag.
This country is culturally sick. Responsibility has gone the way of the dinosaur in all too many instances.
Perhaps it's time to return to the basics of life; duty, honor, responsibility, courtesy, accountability, etc.
The world would be a better place.
Human fathers generally lack the instinct to care for their offspring. The same is true for many other mammal species.
Historically, the solution to this problem was to give fathers *absolute power* over their wives and children, so that fathers would stick around and shoulder the burden of family life. The only thing men crave as much as sex is power and authority over others, so that arrangement kind of worked. It wasn’t so great for all of the battered and abused women and children, but at least they had food and a roof overhead.
Like it or not, that was the traditional “social contract” in most societies until the 1960s and 70s. Now, the government has things like child support to make sure that offspring can survive. Not ideal, but it probably means fewer battered wives and children.
I was waiting for this to come up.
No one is saying there are not cases of Spouse abuse( which can be any gender really).
Are there cases where a 'particular' Father should have no business raising a family? Yes, indeed.
But by and large, it is better to have a Caring Father and Mother present and involved. As mentioned, stats don't lie.
Implying men are not capable or only crave power and sex is insulting and toxic.
Last edited by naicha; 06-17-2022 at 08:08 AM..
Reason: sp
Not just fathers, but a lack of male authority in general.
And yet, we've had two presidents in my lifetime who were raised by single mothers.
Children need unconditional love to grow and mature. Where they get it, whether from fathers, mothers, or a combination of the two, is of less than no importance.
Last edited by cuebald; 06-17-2022 at 08:46 AM..
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