Children of mothers suffering from poverty when daddy is absent; Part 3 of 5

There is a picnic for mothers raising children in a home without a father, without emotional or financial support. Looks like a big ol'' Doh '!

But sometimes, our little minds can not grasp the reality of a tragic situation - and believe me, this is tragic. Even in America, the richest nation on earth, mothers without fathers at home suffer more - much more than you ever thought.

Historical role of the father in the family breadwinner was. When you go, so does the financial stability of the family in most cases. Immediately, the children of mothers or individuals (children whose fathers are absent from the house where the mother is responsible for the collection of them) are plunged into poverty.

Research conducted in 1990 in all industrialized nations have shown that children in single-parent families are at greater risk of poverty. In places like Australia, Canada and the United States - the "advanced nations" - over 50% of children in single-parent families living below the 'poverty line the Luxembourg Income Study'.

Other countries to implement government policies that do not diminish, but to alleviate the effects at some point. Denmark, Finland and Sweden have also a high percentage of children in single-mother families, but less than 10% live below the poverty line.

The following table represents the percentage of children living below the poverty line, according to research conducted in 1990-1992.

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Percent of children in poverty

two parent family solo mother

Sweden 2.2 5.2
Denmark 2.5 7.3
Finland 1.9 7.5
Belgium 3.2 10.0
Italy 9.5 13.9
Norway 1.9 18.4
Netherlands 3.1 39.5
Canada 7.4 50.2
Australia, 56.2 7.7
United States 11.1 59.5

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On June 16, 1995 President Clinton has asked all agencies of the federal government to review its programs and policies with the aim of strengthening the role of fathers in families.

His heart was in the right place, but unfortunately, like most government initiatives, has lost momentum.

Paterna: The man and the family is the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) response to that directive.

Their guiding principles are:

* All fathers can be an important contribution to the welfare of their children.

Parents are partners in raising their children, even when they do not live in the house.

* The roles fathers play in families are different and related to cultural norms and community.

* Men should receive education and support needed to prepare them for the responsibilities of fatherhood.

* Government may encourage and promote father involvement through its programs and policies of their workforce.

These guidelines are great. Recognition, education, responsibility, encouragement and enforcement - great concepts. Ma. .

There was no real teeth. If the government focuses on protecting the rights of fathers in addition to those of the mother, more children would be able to benefit from the special relationship of 'two' parents who take care of them and are actively involved in their lives, even when the two parents no longer live together.

And worse, the father's rights groups have used the radical Directive to ensure less paternal responsibility, rather than ensuring more family allowances.

As always, children without a lost voice. What should we do? ......