Fox’s O’Reilly has a national conversation going about the disintegration of the African American family and the social ills caused by fatherlessness. Don Lemon of CNN and Bill Cosby are a couple of prominent blacks who agree with him. Although I often disagree with O’Reilly, in this case he is right on. The fatherless trend is not just a black issue, but the percentage among blacks is much higher than other groups (blacks: 73%; hispanics: 53%; whites: 29%) and growing. Many feel the fatherless epidemic is the root cause of many of our social ills today. Many of the fathers do not stick around to raise their children or provide support. 70% of kids in juvenile detention are from fatherless families. Children from fatherless families are twice as likely to drop out of school and be involved in juvenile crime and more likely to be suspended from school. 50% of young mothers having out of wedlock births were themselves raised by single parents, continuing the cycle. Fatherlessness is a serious problem in Manchester as well as in the city.
Arthur Scott, a young father and recent graduate from Fatherworks and Kevin Outar, Outreach Coordinator, appear on Manchester Review this month to describe the program. Scott says “I’ve learned that it’s not about me, its about my child. A child needs a father and a mother. I am not a child anymore , I am a parent.”This is a program that would fit right in with the mission of Manchester’s Office of Neighborhood and Families. Can it be replicated in Manchester?
Manchester Review “Fatherworks” can be seen Mondays at 9PM in August on Cox PATV 15 or on You Tube at any time (Google: Fatherless Dilemma and a Solution). For more information about the program or to refer a young father go to Fatherworks on Facebook,Twitter (@FatherWorksCT), Fatherworks@villageforchildren.org or call 860-236-4511.
Comments and questions are welcome at manchesterreview@gmail.com
