Fathering In America Analysis

In "Fathering in America: What's a Dad Supposed to Do?," Marie Hartwell-Walker observes that no matter the kind of family situation children are in, fathers are a critical part of their child's lives. Walker displays the majority of how men can father their children, but there is so much more to the important role of being their father in the child's lives. Many have heard that having a strong male influence is important in a young boy's life, but it's equally important for a daughter to have one as well. Throughout the essay, Walker repeatedly notes that more fathers are absent for all or significant periods of time of their child's life. This can either be because the fathers are unable to provide for them financially, are prohibited from seeing them, or because their father's relationship with their mother didn’t go well. Yet, some of these fathers are absent in varying degrees for different reasons like military families and when the father may be deployed for a huge part of the child's life. Undoubtedly, Walker wants the reader to understand that we must realize there is a father absence crisis in America. …show more content…
Walker states: "23 percent of children under the age of 18 don’t live with their biological father and the number is climbing.”(57) From day one, dads are encouraged to be hands-on with changing diapers, giving baths, and putting their child to sleep. Fathers play an important role in a child's development from birth through adulthood. Likewise, my father has taken the role of both mother and father since I was a baby. Having a father-daughter relationship can have a huge impact on a girls life. This can help her develop into a strong, confident women, which I am proud to call myself today, thanks to my father who has taught me the best and made me learn from my mothers mistakes in life when not only leaving my father but her only child at such a young