(ThyBlackMan.com) With the declines in abortion rates over the past 20 years, Pro- Choice and Pro-Life means something totally different to the single-parent mother and father these days. Pro-choice means that the mother can choose to get child-support whenever she wants. Pro-life means that the father wants to be involved in the child’s life. Obviously there are many different scenarios that these wouldn’t apply; however, more often than not the father is left castrated from his role. The factors of why, really don’t matter compared to who is deliberately terminating fathers from being fathers.
The first father killer is the father himself. From the irresponsible young man engaging in premarital sex to the deadbeat who could careless, fathers have to first take responsibility for our careless choices. It is the father who instigates the bounty by his and reckless behavior, which permits others to be just as negligent in their decision making also.
Killer #2: The Mother. Single mothers who create distance between the father and a child assist in the abortion process. Whether it’s repeated negative comments about the child’s father or by not allowing interaction between the two, the mothers who do this kill the image and reputation of fathers. Deadbeat dad or not, not allowing a father to spend time with his child is not right. Ironically though, children who experience this often feel a break in their relationship with mom too.
Killer #3: The System. The strain the system place on a father’s relationship with his child financially and time-wise is torture. The one-sided advantage given to the woman from the DHS office, result in ridiculous interest in back child support and possible jail time. Repercussions like this can literally break a man, mentally and emotionally.
Killer #4: Grandparents. Since most single parent mothers & fathers are young and unstable grandparent get pulled into the rearing of the child. They provide a roof, food, transportation and even clothes. Their parental involvement is often overbearing, even when support is shown in favor of the child’s relationship with the father. Over involvement of grandparents tend to bury the need for an active father, because whatever is lacking they are willing and able to provide. Fathers in this situation struggle to solidify their place and a kid’s life and often fall victim to his own pride. This dynamic is critical in so many was to the development of a child.
The circumstances that restrict and the people who deny fathers their role in his child’s life do just as much damage to a child as the father who rejects his role and responsibilities. Fathers, have to realize that as imperfect as you are, your presence is needed. Mothers and Grandparents need to recognize that the system is designed to cripple the family. Understanding this and value of the father in the life of a child can restore the family structure and nurture new beginnings in our society.
Staff Writer; T.L. Kirk
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Great comments!! All things considered for sure, I applaud the awareness and support you both in this cultural issue…
As a veteran marriage, family and relationship counselor, father, life-coach, published author and mediator, I have to say you did hit on the right points. However I disagree about the order of your #1 and #2 because that varies depending on the situation. We could in fact site all thee cases where the father is not present because the mother first ran him way, played games, used him or found another dude who will do “more” for her.
Also it would be wise to provide stats. Even though abortion rates have dropped, abortion still remains the number one killer of African Americans in this country. More than AIDS, cop killings, black on black crime and cancer combined.
To the author of this article, it is a little more complex sociologically and psychologically. Email me at brainstormonline@yahoo.com and let’s talk about the big picture. Also it always a good idea to provide as many solutions as you can in your writings because we usually know the problems.
One of the key issues that needs to be addressed in order to end the abortion of fatherhood is reforming the unconstitutional child support system in the US. Most of the time being dead broke is confused with being an alleged ‘deadbeat’. This is harmful to the children, the parents, and the family (traditional or non-traditional) structure. We need reform. Join the fight!