Public Policy

A Federal Focus on Fatherhood

June 29, 2010 4 Comments

Apt parenting is at the very core of our social construct, and the paternal role is a vital linkage in this fabric. Beyond the mere biological need to reproduce, we unequivocally understand that the father figure has nothing less than an obligation to protect, nurture, guide, and edify their young into capable independence. And, this commitment undoubtedly solidifies into unparalleled achievement; a recent Rasmussen Report found 71% of American adults continue to believe that fatherhood is the most important role a man can fill.

Realizing the fundamental essence of fatherhood, it is no mistake that the closing of Men’s Health Week lies on Father’s Day. Today, the accomplishments of men’s health advocates and fathers everywhere will be nationally recognized as the House votes to pass H.Con.Res. 288 – Supporting National Men’s Health Week (Rep. Cummings).

The Obama Administration has also made fatherhood a priority. The proposed FY2011 budget includes $500 million for a new Fatherhood, Marriage, and Families Innovation Fund that would be geared towards programs to strengthen families and would provide funds for transitional employment programs for unemployed, non-custodial parents. In collaboration with the NFL Players’ Association and the national PTA, the President also recently launched a new Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative where people can sign up to receive e-newsletters containing information and mentoring tips from fatherhood and family leaders. Join the Initiative at www.fatherhood.gov/initative.

I would like to personally thank all our readers for their continued awareness and support of fatherhood initiatives such as these, and most importantly I want to wish my mentor, hero, and dad a very happy Father’s Day for guiding me on the path to manhood.

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Author: (has written 12 posts)

Adam Dougherty, MPHAdam Dougherty is a first-year medical student at the University of California: Davis. He received a Master of Public Health from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California: Santa Barbara. His interests include health policy, health reform advocacy, and preventive medicine in addition to traveling and playing guitar. Adam previously worked as the Policy Director at Insure the Uninsured Project, is active with the California Chapter of the Men’s Health Network, and is the Policy Coordinator for the Men’s Health Caucus of the American Public Health Association (APHA).

Your Comments: 4 Comments so far

  1. Claude Edwin Theriault says:

    Very well written article I especially liked the importance of the paternal role is a vital linkage in this fabric part , since it is missing a lot; for many.

  2. Guys are okay says:

    “… I want to wish my mentor, hero, and dad a very happy Father’s Day for guiding me on the path to manhood.” Very nice. the author’s father must be very proud of hsi son.

  3. George R. McCasland says:

    That $500 million should go toward more equal enforcement of visitation and access rights. The biggest problem with men not being involved with their children is they were raised by single mothers who taught them that men don’t count during the Clinton “A Village Raises A Child” period when they were trying to show fathers were not needed for anything except a wallet.

  4. Ahsan Sayed says:

    Its heartening to see that fatherhood is finally being given some attention. Few men in out times, aspire to be responsible fathers.


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