This topic will have to die a natural death because it no one will be able to kill it. I want it to go away, but at the same time, I wonder how many people listened to Bill Bennett’s conversation with the caller during the now-infamous radio show?
If you haven’t heard it, please do so now. Here’s is a link to the edited segment in question. Are your impressions the same? Does actually hearing it in context change your opinion one way or another?
Sort-of-Related Update: In addition to the two-part Harry Potter article I’m trying to finish before going to GodBlogCon next week, I’m reviewing a book called Raising Boys Without Men. The author, a woman who’s married with children, says, in so many words, the prevailing wisdom that boys need fathers is wrong, that boys are not harmed by growing up without a man in the house. I think she’s flat out wrong, but I wanted to write an informed article about it. My guess is the author didn’t include inner-city mothers in her study, only professional, middle- and upper-class, and mostly white women.
My hair-trigger reaction (Yes, folks, I react this way too, sometimes.) was, “How could she assert something so irresponsible? Hasn’t she read studies about fatherlessness and its correlation to criminal activity, illegitimacy, and poverty?” (Not cause, people, but correlation. Big difference.) But in order to write an informed critique, I knew I had to read the book, so I requested a review copy.
You don’t even need studies to know that boys growing up without fathers, especially when they’re already “at risk,” are much less socialized than boys who grow up with fathers, generally speaking.
I had a brief e-mail exchange with the author, and she’s interested in reading the review. I’d like to include quotes from readers in this book review, as well, especially if you grew up without a father. If you think my opinion is ill-informed, feel free to point me to data showing otherwise or share your personal story.
