Your dad had a heart cared about people...that explains a lot. I respect you a lot, Adam, and thank you for speaking regularly with all of us. Happy Father's Day and to you and your family, I will work hard every day to make protect our democracy, make it stronger, better, more inclusive, and stop poverty once and for all so no one has to go to a food bank!
"After decades of troubling increases, the percentage of American children growing up in father-absent homes has been falling steadily since around 2010."
I don't think that's a coincidence. This comes barely two years after:
- President Obama role-modeled a very new form of fatherhood and being a husband, and he was wildly popular. His "strength through kindness" continues to make him one of the most popular presidents alive.
- Democrats passed major bills that would finally make tangible progress toward STOPPING the horrible American habit of letting the poor, hungry and sick depend on the random charity of a few wealthy individuals who then feel superior to the rest of the world; instead, they installed, what all modern Western democracies have, namely real LEGISLATIVE protection against the bad circumstances that people can be born or fall into.
At that exact same moment, the GOP was massively spreading fake news and lying 24/7 in order to increase cynicism in the US and make people hate the Obamas - including because they are black. And it was trying to destroy "Obamacare" (knowing perfectly well that this was a compromise and actually Romneycare) and with death people's chances to survive.
Trump didn't invent anything. The GOP built it all out before he even thought of running for office again.
Happy Father's Day, Adam. Thank you for writing this. It's beautiful and true. You are a powerful role model for your son- in the best way. Enjoy your day with your beautiful family.
Happy Father’s Day, Adam! Texan here. Your sentiments regarding fatherhood echo James Talarico’s story about his adoptive father teaching him that being a man means quietly serving others. His father mowed their lawn every Saturday, and when he had finished, he mowed the lawn of his elderly neighbor without ever being asked. He did this simply because he knew she needed the help. The MAGA movement confuses masculinity with adolescent displays of bravado and bullying. I’ll be glad when we move past it.
Well stated. As a busy professional, dad always put his family first, making time to take his three boys fishing and hunting on his weekends off call. He left us with this advice, “don’t tell someone you love them, show them”. He always showed up when you needed him and not often at the most convenient time. He was our hero.
Happy father's day Adam. your words remind me of my dad. he would have been well into his hundreds by now but I still remember and live by a lot of the lessons he taught me just by being present. He never helped my sister play tennis but built the tennis court in our yard. He let me give him a manicure when i was practicing for the cosmetology exam. Hardly said I love you but he teared up on Christmas morning as he opened the presents from Jan and I. He taught us a LOT
I have to wonder whether part of this shift of fathers being there for their kids isn’t related to the rise in gay marriages. When two men decide to marry and have children, by necessity and definition there are more men present to raise those kids. The numbers are encouraging either way (gay or straight), but this is a testament to the power and goodness that encouraging and supporting people who want to stay together and raise families brings.
Acceptance, and support of people who decide to give rather than take is a positive cultural shift. Doing whatever we can to encourage this shift will benefit us all.
What a lovely article, Adam. Thank you. I loved my Father. Due to the ugly divorce between my Mother and Father, I did not get to see him as much as I needed. My Mother would badmouth him, but I still loved him and needed him in my life. I did not get what I needed, but became an educator instead and learned the things you talked about. I did not have my own children, but because I was a teacher, I had hundreds of children and had the opportunity to spent high quality time and impress upon them to be responsible for their actions and attentive to their family and friends and have respect for themselves and their elders. I do feel very lucky, indeed.
My grandkids live in Brooklyn. I take them to school and the playground sometimes and I am amazed at how many fathers are out there. Nothing like when my kids were young. Also it used to be treated as a novelty that a father would be there and now it is just a matter of fact about the way things can be.
beautifully written. My dad passed 2009 he was on the greatest generation. Served in Navy on Tinnian Island. He gave us so many values including Faith in God, hard work and gentleness. Miss him everyday. Tell your dad you love him whenever you can. He will be gone someday but good memories survive.
Both my husband of over 60 years and I had wonderful fathers. They taught us everything we needed to know about how to be a real person in this world. I always loved the way my hubby would spread a blanket on the floor and play with the current baby (we had 4) while I prepped our dinner. He was always there for them and spent time with them through Cub/Boy Scouts and camping during the summers. He has always stood by his children, sometimes even when he should have left them to solve their own problems. He is now the best grandpa and great-grandpa this family could wish for. Your family sounds like a very strong one and we wish you a very Happy Father's Day. Christian is a very lucky little man!!
Your dad had a heart cared about people...that explains a lot. I respect you a lot, Adam, and thank you for speaking regularly with all of us. Happy Father's Day and to you and your family, I will work hard every day to make protect our democracy, make it stronger, better, more inclusive, and stop poverty once and for all so no one has to go to a food bank!
He who would lead, should lead by example. It speaks far louder than any words. Great piece, Adam! Happy Father’s Day!
"After decades of troubling increases, the percentage of American children growing up in father-absent homes has been falling steadily since around 2010."
I don't think that's a coincidence. This comes barely two years after:
- President Obama role-modeled a very new form of fatherhood and being a husband, and he was wildly popular. His "strength through kindness" continues to make him one of the most popular presidents alive.
- Democrats passed major bills that would finally make tangible progress toward STOPPING the horrible American habit of letting the poor, hungry and sick depend on the random charity of a few wealthy individuals who then feel superior to the rest of the world; instead, they installed, what all modern Western democracies have, namely real LEGISLATIVE protection against the bad circumstances that people can be born or fall into.
At that exact same moment, the GOP was massively spreading fake news and lying 24/7 in order to increase cynicism in the US and make people hate the Obamas - including because they are black. And it was trying to destroy "Obamacare" (knowing perfectly well that this was a compromise and actually Romneycare) and with death people's chances to survive.
Trump didn't invent anything. The GOP built it all out before he even thought of running for office again.
That being said... Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day, Adam. I see what you're talking about in my own son-in-law. It's good news. Love your book.
Happy Father's Day, Adam. Thank you for writing this. It's beautiful and true. You are a powerful role model for your son- in the best way. Enjoy your day with your beautiful family.
Happy Father’s Day, Adam! Texan here. Your sentiments regarding fatherhood echo James Talarico’s story about his adoptive father teaching him that being a man means quietly serving others. His father mowed their lawn every Saturday, and when he had finished, he mowed the lawn of his elderly neighbor without ever being asked. He did this simply because he knew she needed the help. The MAGA movement confuses masculinity with adolescent displays of bravado and bullying. I’ll be glad when we move past it.
Well stated. As a busy professional, dad always put his family first, making time to take his three boys fishing and hunting on his weekends off call. He left us with this advice, “don’t tell someone you love them, show them”. He always showed up when you needed him and not often at the most convenient time. He was our hero.
I need a place to click on “emphatically yes”. “Like” is way too mild. Thank you for this !
Happy father's day Adam. your words remind me of my dad. he would have been well into his hundreds by now but I still remember and live by a lot of the lessons he taught me just by being present. He never helped my sister play tennis but built the tennis court in our yard. He let me give him a manicure when i was practicing for the cosmetology exam. Hardly said I love you but he teared up on Christmas morning as he opened the presents from Jan and I. He taught us a LOT
Moved me to tears! Happy Father’s Day!
I have to wonder whether part of this shift of fathers being there for their kids isn’t related to the rise in gay marriages. When two men decide to marry and have children, by necessity and definition there are more men present to raise those kids. The numbers are encouraging either way (gay or straight), but this is a testament to the power and goodness that encouraging and supporting people who want to stay together and raise families brings.
Acceptance, and support of people who decide to give rather than take is a positive cultural shift. Doing whatever we can to encourage this shift will benefit us all.
What a lovely article, Adam. Thank you. I loved my Father. Due to the ugly divorce between my Mother and Father, I did not get to see him as much as I needed. My Mother would badmouth him, but I still loved him and needed him in my life. I did not get what I needed, but became an educator instead and learned the things you talked about. I did not have my own children, but because I was a teacher, I had hundreds of children and had the opportunity to spent high quality time and impress upon them to be responsible for their actions and attentive to their family and friends and have respect for themselves and their elders. I do feel very lucky, indeed.
My grandkids live in Brooklyn. I take them to school and the playground sometimes and I am amazed at how many fathers are out there. Nothing like when my kids were young. Also it used to be treated as a novelty that a father would be there and now it is just a matter of fact about the way things can be.
beautifully written. My dad passed 2009 he was on the greatest generation. Served in Navy on Tinnian Island. He gave us so many values including Faith in God, hard work and gentleness. Miss him everyday. Tell your dad you love him whenever you can. He will be gone someday but good memories survive.
Happy Father’s Day! Thank you Adam for all you do!🙋🏼♀️💙💪🏻🇺🇸🕊️
Happy Father’s Day!!!!!
Both my husband of over 60 years and I had wonderful fathers. They taught us everything we needed to know about how to be a real person in this world. I always loved the way my hubby would spread a blanket on the floor and play with the current baby (we had 4) while I prepped our dinner. He was always there for them and spent time with them through Cub/Boy Scouts and camping during the summers. He has always stood by his children, sometimes even when he should have left them to solve their own problems. He is now the best grandpa and great-grandpa this family could wish for. Your family sounds like a very strong one and we wish you a very Happy Father's Day. Christian is a very lucky little man!!