my dad pasted 35 years ago.he was nothing more then a drunk that abused his entire family,but thought me one thing in life and that was how not to be.i have spent alot of time with my kids growing up and the rewards have been just great as we are still a close family

I see more involvement.
.
Personally I am a teacher and spend the entire summer with my two children. I am a stay at home dad for the 2.5 months I am "off" and love it.
.
My dad was very involved, but as many have stated didn't do the baby stuff (diapers, feedings, etc...) but did a great deal when we got older (coaching, attending conferences, band booster president, chaporone, etc...).
.
I think dads, not the sperm donors that have always exsisted, but fathers are more willing and more expected to do the baby things because the mothers also work. To sit back and watch the mother of your child work 40+ hours a week and change all the diapers, do all the midnight feedings, etc... is just pathetic.
.
Less women tolerate that now than back in the day.

mustang~~not seeing your child isn't a reason to stop paying support. If you aren't able to see your child then keep going back to court to get those rights. If you stop paying support then you are only hurting your child more. Paying support isn't about you and your rights, it's about your child and them having what they need to have to live!!!

No they are expected to pay child support and not have any rights to see or have anything to do with the the kids.Judge says unwed kids fathers have no rights.They are pesumed to be the fathers. They are locked up . What is wrong with this picture.

Hmmm, I think this depends on the question is meant. I think father's that are involved in their children's lives ARE more involved. But, we have a lot more cases of father's being completely absent from their children's lives.

This poll should not be used for some to grandstand on behalf of the perceived Mother Theresa angelic types. The “Welfare State” which began with the election of FDR in 1932 and was “enhanced” by the Johnson administration in the 1960s, took the father out of the parenting equation. The complete disregard for human life with the legalization of abortion in 1973 put the woman in total “control” of HER body. Never mind the fact that 98%+ of the impregnations aborted were through consensual means with a potential “would be” father. I thank God I was blessed with parents who NEEDED each other FIRST-long before they chose to become parents.

No, not really. Mothers are taking on the chores of a classic june cleaver, and doing all of the breadwinning, home repair, car repair, being the referree in children's disputes and the disciplinarian. Saddest part of all is that the boys who grew up without a dad said that they would always be there for their kids because they know what it's like to have a single mom. Then they have a child and run away, the dead beat dad cycle just keeps going. Yes there are good dads out there, but almost everyone friend I've had in the last twenty years do not know or talk to their dad and the physiological effects from that is apparent in their lives today.

On the other hand, I have learned any sperm donor can be a father. But it takes a man to be a dad. A dad to me is the man who teaches you how to throw, how to handle arguments, how to cook on the grill or change the oil in your car. A dad is who you go too when Your a teenager in trouble with school and he will help you work through it and support you every step of the way. A dad is someone you can love no matter how upset he may be that you broke a window.

my spermdonor has a new family and pretty much sucks at being a dad... so my opinion is pretty biased... but oh well

When I had my children in the 50's Men did'nt
come to pre-natal appt.' Changing dirty diapers
was not even considered. My son had his first child last Dec. Both Mom and Dad take care in
feeding and bathing our little guy. He justloves the little boy to pieces. I know that
he will grow up to be a "good human being" and
that's all you can ask for out of life.

To SpikesMom and others missing their fathers:
.
I can only hope that my children will some day look back at our limited time together and recall as fondly as that of you and your fathers.

I wish my father was there for me more as a child growing up but he did his duty of every other weekend! I now have not spoken to my father in the past 16 years by his choice.

Yes, fathers are pretty important to people. Some fathers are good people, unselfish in their day-to-day operations and some aren't. Which father do you suppose is the one most likely to produce a successful child?

Ya no i never had tha joy of have a father that was ever really truly there for me, he was there but not to help raise me or to help feed or clothe me, he was there for the CONTROL, knowing that he made the choice on what i was allowed to do and what or even if i was allowed to eat....he was the one who controlled everyones life in my family..until he messed up and ended up out of my life..i cant even listen to n e one talk about what they did with their dad last week or..."hey me n my dad went fishing n it was awsome".... io get mad n angry because i am not n never will be able to do that cause i dont have a father that truly gives a crap .....if i did i wouldnt cry my ass off eveerytime i hear my friends talk about what a good time they had with their dad.....

life suks n then u die so .....i guess thats all that really matters,......

!~Me~!

Too many part time parents these days. Divorced couples that "share" custody and only take the kids when it is convenient and they don't have other social obligations.

Too many people that have kids and refuse to grow up and act like adults. Instead they act like teenagers and the kids don't get the good role model it takes to help them to be successful.

I don't think so.

In most past generations, the father was working on the farm or from the home and was part of raising and educating the children from birth on. Starting with the industrial revolution, however, more and more fathers have been away from the home for work, and the children have been entrusted to the mother, babysitters, and schools, to care for.
Then came the sexual revolution, and now fewer fathers live in the same home, or even the same region, as their children, leading to very little involvement for many.

My husband is a wonderful father and spends a lot of time with our children, as my father did with his, but their involvement still pales in comparison to the time my farmer grandfather was able to spend with his children. He may not have changed diapers, but he spent far more hours training, supervising, advising, and just being there than modern, work-outside-the-home-at-something-the-children-can't-help-with fathers are able to.

I think at time passes men are more involved. If you look at the beaver cleaver days dads didnt do diapers, feedings, or daily care because they were working and our society had women at home being "housewives", they did it all and wore heels to boot:) As women have entered the workforce men were forced to be more involved and have taken quite nicely to the task. I grew up without a dad so my mom was both.
My husband was the primary caretaker of our son because i was taking 18 credits in college and working full time. I think as generations grow and change we do what we have to make it work.
Dads are no longer just the come home from work fathers, but full time hands on dad's. Of course every generation has their deadbeats, but some are stronger for that:)

Tom Selleck has it right. "It takes a man to be a dad."

I wonder what a boy named Sue gets his dad for father's day?

Hannah ~ I have a few of those "WEIRD" family members too!! LOL.

spikesmom- i know how you feel. lost father in law 5 years ago. i week before fathers day. already had the gift. still gave it to mom in law to display.

I am lucky mine help around the house a lot too. my mom in law wanted us to visit on sunday and I had plans with my parents for fathers day. she said OH what are you doing is it a specail day- i felt so bad she forgot it was fathers day. I have invited her in the past but my family is weird and would think stupid things like she shouldnt be there. i didnt want to deal with that this year.

My childrens father is about as involved as one can be from Ohio where he moved to keep a job with GM. We find his involvement becoming less and less all the time. He feels out of touch but needs to support his wife and children from his second marriage. I support his decision and we make do the best we can but no mom can also be dad. Even though he is my ex-husband we all miss him. Happy Father's Day to all dads, hope the day isn't too hard for those dad's that can't be with their children today

I had a good day. My son and I went to Milwaukee to pay our respects at the cemetery. I visited with my brother later in the day and then my son and I took my husband out to dinner where I had a much needed margarita!! Since my dad passed away last month we had his birthday and Father's Day come up. Getting through those two days were tough but it was a good time to think about him and even laugh at some memories. Every day gets better but I will miss him every day. Thank you to all who sent thoughts my way today. It really helped.

SPIKESMOM, I prayed for you to be strong and have only fond thoughts today! I am so sorry to have read about your loss! But he is with you, and always will be! <3

We are a blended family, and my son couldn't have a better dad....Yes, he is a stepdad, but has been a god send in our lives! Some men were and are just meant to be dad's! Happy Fathers day to all you dads!

There are a lot of dads out there who have spent a lot of time raising someone elses children. Step-dads get a bad rap most of the time. My better half has shown my children love, compassion, strength, and friendship, and they love and respect him deeply. He was their father every day and night, even though they were not his children biologically. He was there when they needed a bandaid, a ride to rec night, or money for gas for prom night. I am thankful to have such a loving person, who helped my children grow into wonderful adults. And for that I am eternally greatful. Happy Father's Day to all men who raise children with love and respect.

My father provided financial support by working and felt that when we could walk we should work and help support the family too. The definition of raising is different now than when I was a child. My husband provided financial support PLUS coached his son's hockey team and sewed his daughter's ice show costumes.
Neither was more involved than the other, the demonstrations were just VERY different.

Past generations didn't see the divorce rate that we do now. Past generations didn't have the number of children born out of wedlock that we do now. Past generations saw both parents married, under the same roof. How can children now have their fathers as involved when they only see each other every other weekend & every other holiday?

Without my dad I wouldn't be the person I am today...The good ,the bad and the ugly !

Thank you for your kind words and thoughts.

Awwwww so sorry Spikesmom, it gets easier as the years go by, but you never stop missing them, at least I haven't and my Dad has been gone for 15 years now. I find myself talking to him quite often still, probably always will too. Anyway, will be thinking about you tomorrow Spikesmom and hoping you find some joy in the day.

I just lost my dad last month so tomorrow is going to be hard. He never did any of the day to day things around the house, bur he worked hard and he was always there when I needed something.

my husband spends almost all his free time with our children. he also cleans the toilets, dishes,laundry, and without being asked to. it's really up to the woman to find a good husband/father. instead of just taking anything and then complaining about it. your spouse is a direct reflection on you. so, if you are not happy you have no one to blame but yourself. try knowing your man before you marry him and don't have a child unless you already know he is good man. seems pretty basic.

I am sure in past genorations there were dads that werent as involved and lots that were. I dont think it depends on the generation I think it depends on the DAD. There seems to be more dead beat dads now than in the past so very difficult question to deceide on.