Savannah Clinton

A3
Fatherhood
Parental investment is a very important part of a childs development; simply put, kids
need a strong support group on both an emotional level and a practical one. Single motherhood is
an ever-growing phenomenon, and one that has been widely criticized for supposedly violating
this principle. Whitehead emphasizes the importance of fathers as being absolutely crucial to a
childs well-being, but while having a father present is certainly a good thing, a mother alone can
be sufficient to perfectly suit a childs needs. They are not mentally or emotionally stunted due to
the absence of a father. The lessening of the wage gap, steady decline of gender roles, and an
abundance of support in the community are more than adequate to supplement the care a child
without a traditional family situation receives, in addition to all the things mothers offer.
It is generally recognized that there is a pay disparity between men and women. Since
Seneca Falls, womens rights have progressed greatly, but they still face lower pay then men. In
some cases this may decrease the time a mother can spend one-on-one with her child as she must
work more to make ends meet. While this would make the presence of a father beneficial -the
child would receive more attention due to a lessened workload resulting from two incomes- that
wage gap is lessening. As the disparity gets smaller, the need for two incomes also gets smaller.
Better pay is allowing mothers to work less, and giving them more free time to spend with a son
or daughter. A mans income is less necessary to support a child financially, or to provide more
time for a mother to interact with her children.
This issue brings to light another situation in which two parents are present, but a father
is not. Same-sex couples often have children, either through adoption, artificial insemination, or
simply past relationships. Two mothers then, can easily supply a child with both emotional
support and material needs. Yet even in a single parent household, this need for support can
easily be met through school and neighborhood relationships. Teachers, coaches, and neighbors
are all accessible and appropriate role models. Peer support is also invaluable. Being a military
child, I remember long periods in which my father was deployed. At times I had trouble
remembering what he looked like. I was not at a disadvantage either; one caring mother and
community ties were more than enough to meet my mental and emotional needs.
Finally, the specificity of a father is not actually necessary to a childs wellbeing,
especially with the lessening emphasis placed on gender roles. This occurs in a social context as
well as a legal one. Rights have increased, progressing from a time in which women were not
even allowed to own property to one that allows them to serve it the military. As these barriers
are broken, the idea of what is manly is simply changing to an idea of what is human.
Traditionally, men are considered tough while women are considered fragile. That line of
thinking is quickly being replaced by a more logical one: the traits inherent in individuals are not
dependent upon their sex. Men can cry, and women can put out fires. Gender no longer
determines who a person can be, or what they can impart on their children.

Having been in a situation where I lived in essentially a single parent home, as well as
one with both a mother and father, I can definitively say that having a father present is certainly a
nice perk, but not a necessary part of growing up. The love of a biological parent, specifically the
father, is certainly a good thing, yet the presence of a father is not instrumental to a childs
wellbeing. A childs needs can be properly looked after by a good mother -or mothers- and
community support. Sure, fatherhood is an important thing. It is not however, a crucial part of
life. Children outside of the traditional family situation can be loved and cared for just as much
as children with invested fathers.