I don't have too much to add, but as one of three sons of a quasi-single-parent household (multiple father figures, all with significant problems) who is now grown up with many points of comparison, this is so clearly and immediately obvious to me. I also have two kids of my own whom I have been on the fringe with and while I'm happy that I'm the only (and stable) figure in their lives, I worry what impact my long-distance presence will have.
The fathers I did have ranged from absent, to addicts, to abusive. I realize nobody is perfect but there has never been a positive role model for me and this affected me terribly in my relationships for so long (I've been to jail for abuse). I'm only lucky in that I got out of that cycle at least somewhat, and I can probably only credit the massive improvement in my economic condition. My brothers have not been so lucky.
People don’t like to talk about it because in public discourse it often turns into disparaging single mothers.
My dad worked in public housing and I used to do tutoring as a kid in the summer. It was sad as I saw the 10 year olds who I really related to grow up in negative paths, mostly because nobody cared.
The fathers I did have ranged from absent, to addicts, to abusive. I realize nobody is perfect but there has never been a positive role model for me and this affected me terribly in my relationships for so long (I've been to jail for abuse). I'm only lucky in that I got out of that cycle at least somewhat, and I can probably only credit the massive improvement in my economic condition. My brothers have not been so lucky.