Published: April 25, 2008 09:55 am            

Letter: Fathers need to take responsibility

To the editor:

Stand up and be a father. I you were man enough to lay down and make a child, then it is time you be man enough to stand up be a father to that child.

It is alarming how many children are growing up in our rural communities never knowing who their father is. It is definitely time something is done about it.

I am hoping I can lead by example and help to break the cycle. When I was growing up, I never knew my father, and now I have three children who don’t know who their father is. Obviously, It is a vicious cycle that aids in the degeneration of the community.

I am convinced that we can do something to stop it. First, we have to recognize that it is a problem; then we have to come up with a plan of action to attack the problem.

My plan of action consists of the following: Obviously, there is a great strain due to the financial responsibilities of raising a child, So I plan on initiating the process of paying Child Support; then I plan on integrating myself back into my children’s lives, not only because I want to spend time with them, but because I know mom needs a break sometimes, too, and I just want to be there for them when they need me, and let’s face it, every child needs his or her father.

Hopefully, other fathers out there will read this and realize what they’re missing, realize they are tired of not knowing their children and stand and do something about it.

To those fathers out there doing what they’re supposed to be doing, I commend you, and to those mothers out there raising children on your own, you deserve a medal for nurturing and protecting our future,

We need to respect our privilege to be fathers, and we need to respect our children’s right to know their father. Hopefully, things will change.

Michael Nordhaus

Federal Correctional

Institution

Milan, Mich.



Editor’s note: Nordhaus, a Hamilton County native, is currently serving a federal prison sentence on methamphetamine-related charges.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.