Submitted by Rosa, Nov 25, 2007 02:28

Of course, those involved with deliberately fatherless families will provide most of he comments; they need to justify their situations. Those of us who have had, and loved, a father don't feel a need to justify it. When I was growing up, my father and I were in constant conflict over his efforts to guide me when I wanted to make my own choices. He died when I was in my early 20s and we were still at odds. It was no relief -- only loss. I love and miss him still, a lifetime later. A father is a father, and the most masculine woman is not. Children instinctively turn sometimes to their mothers, sometimes to their fathers, for different kinds of comfort or protection. Children can grow up without fathers, and become fine adults. But they have missed something, whether or not they know it -- and sooner or later, most of them will sense that absence. They have missed something precious and essential, and are the poorer for it. Make families without fathers (or without mothers) if you will, but don't kid yourselves, don't pretend it is the same, or that there is no loss.

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