Full-Time Dads;
The E-Magazine for Caregiver Fathers
Issue 2, originally appeared in print - June 1991
As a society we are flnally beginning to see, with new clarity, that fathers and children arent separate entitles. we are recognizing that we need each other to be complete people. Evidence continues to grow which shows that children who have their fathers love and affectlon benefit from this in all aspects of their lives.
We are seeing increased evidence that fathers are as natural and capable at nurturing as mothers when they allow themselves to be. This allows our children to carry this behavior to their own children. The chain grows; fathers, mothers, and children all beneflt for successive generations.
Its never easy to break existing behavioral patterns whether they are lack of involvement, non-demonstration of affection, or the more serious aspects such as abuse and neglect,but it most certainly can be done. We encourage all fathers to work, and it can be very hard work, to change their behaviors and demonstrate their love and affection for thelr children, openly and proudly. Doing so will help all fathers to consciously realize that they shouldnt subordinate their natural nurturing desires for the sake of the falsely construed "detached" father role that has become the accepted paternal behavior of our generation.
Full-Time Dads is proud to promote active fathering for both men who are actively changing paternal roles and those who seek to change their roles in their children's lives.
This issue brings new features including Bookshelf, School Talk, Father Forum, Resources, Father To Father, and Collective Wisdom as well as a few smaller changes in the basic form of this journal.
Those who received the flrst issue with a "self-maillng" heavier cover will have already noticod that ir has been eliminated and delivery is now in an envelope. I heard that many of those flrst issues appeared with "tire tracks' across the front and back. That wont happen any longer.
In the continuing effort to fulfill the original premise of Full-Time Dads we look forward to starting the Mother's View section in is- sue #3 which will complete all promised features. I look forward to hearing from mothers whowould like to share their perceptions of nurturing fathers. The very idea that we share this role should bring us together rather than separate us. Fathers dont take on child care roles to interfere with mothers territory but simply to expand both men's and women's acceptable roles and behaviors. Many full-time fathers are single and do not have the support of a spouse but it's nearly universal that these men find themselves with their own support network, primarily made up of mothers. We all appreciate the support and encouragement we receive from mothers, let's hear from you too.
Full-Time Dads does not have a political agenda. We believe in equality and responsibility, not blaming or renewing battles where all participants lose. We don't need any new or continuing battles between the sexes at a time when men and women should be reconciling past differences to expand the roles of all of us alike and benefit our children as well.
Copyright 1991 Chris Stafford
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