"Decades of published studies in psychology, social science, and medicine have shown that children raised in, for example, fatherless families, on average, suffer in every measure of well-being. They have higher levels of physical and mental illness, educational failure, poverty, substance abuse, criminal behavior, loneliness, and physical and sexual abuse."
I grew up without a father... I am definately mentally and physically stable. I do exceptionally well in school; I get A's and never lower. I am involved in so many school-related activities and I still keep up. I work to get things I want and need and I have an amazing mother to help, we are not in poverty. I have never drank or done drugs and I do not plan to in my lifetime. Some or possibly many people think that this idea is dumb but it is a moral I value very highly and I am sticking to it. I am no criminal and I do not behave like one. I am not lonely. I have such amazing friends that actually care. To me, it is hard to believe that someone would actually care about me and I am so grateful for them. As for physical and sexual abuse goes... not me. I would never intentionally hurt someone, especially a girl. I have the deepest respect for girls - women. I would never hurt a girl, ever. Another very strong moral I have is that I will not have sex until I am married. I do not believe premarital sex is right. It is something I will never do. Again, some may disagree but this is what I believe.
It is definately hard growing up without a father. There are just so many things one does not get to experience, learn, and just simply do. One day I will have my own children - I cannot wait. I will never abandon them, I will never neglect them, I will never regret them. I will always be there for them. I'll be their foundation, the foundation I never had. I built my my life, my "structure", upon sand. I fought hard to keep stable and not crumble and succumb to my "fate." I am my foundation, I am my structure.
See? I have overcome my own "impossible, statistical" barrier. I am my own person, not bound by the mistakes, actions, and words of others.
A poem of a fatherless poet..
LONELY CHILD
Torch is passed
No mystery
Behind the consternation
On my furrowed brow
Trudging through the minefields
Longing for completion
Sacred glimpse of home
Seeking love
Unconditional
Revelations
Rare
Hurdles
Monumental
Taking time to change
Soaking up the truth
Behind these bedroom eyes
Lonely child remains
Selfish in such longing
Unbiased bulletin
Forgive
My insecurity
Indulge
My fragile passion
Accept
My humble plea
