[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15791]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            FATHERS DAY 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 19, 2009

  Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, as we recognize Fathers Day 2009, probably 
never before has fatherhood been so challenged. The traditional 
position of fathers in American society and in the family as an 
institution is in serious trouble.
  On a recent flight back to Washington I happened to open a local 
newspaper to birth notices. Nearly half of the births recorded were out 
of wedlock and about a dozen of the birth notices did not identify a 
father. In fact, today 28% of Caucasian, 51% Hispanic, and 70% African 
American children are born out of wedlock, while white males face a 
challenging role, their African American counterparts' fatherhood role 
has been dramatically eroded.
  As we reflect on the plight of fatherhood in our community some 
sobering facts reveal a crisis that cannot and should not be ignored. 
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that not having a father has serious 
economic consequences. There are nearly twenty million children living 
in a single parent household. With no father present these households 
account for 45% of our poverty rate. The U.S. Department of Justice 
found that 46% of unwed mothers would leave poverty if they married the 
fathers of their children. A recent examination by the National 
Fatherhood Initiative revealed that African American newborns today are 
tremendously disadvantaged. Today, half of all children and 80% of 
African American children can expect to spend at least part of their 
childhood living apart from their fathers.
  These staggering figures portray an absence in our society that is 
detrimental to our nation's youth. We must understand the consequences 
that result from denying our children a proper upbringing. Although 
Fathers Day is a time to celebrate and rejoice with our loved ones, we 
cannot forget about the increasing number of our children that are 
being raised without a father. Children growing up without a father are 
more likely to have behavioral problems, and be incarcerated. Those 
children are less likely to attend college, become married, and form 
healthy relationships.
  Unfortunately this trend has become prevalent in our communities. As 
a result this problem has become repetitive through generations at an 
alarming rate. We must work to raise awareness of the positive effects 
fatherhood has on a child's life. We must also find ways to stem the 
decline of meaningful relationships between a father and his child in 
our society.
  I recently read a commentary on The Importance of a Loving Father by 
Dr. Walter E. Barker, a Florida licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. 
``Fathers are very important to their sons' and daughters' development. 
A mother gives the child unconditional love and acceptance and the 
father's love is more conditional on the child's finding success and 
accomplishment out in the larger world. He wants his children to find 
what makes them happy and then take that gift and talent to make a 
contribution to the larger society. Fathers want their children to have 
a strong work ethic and to be willing to assert themselves in the 
world.''
  By supporting the family structure, better education and job training 
we can begin to reverse the diminished role of fathers in our country. 
We must all work to help raise awareness on this pressing issue. The 
importance of fatherhood should not be overlooked by our society if we 
are to ensure a promising future for the children in America.

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