Editor: Michele Olson, Communications Director thinkmarriage 

 

The National Fatherhood Initiative

 

As we head toward Fathers Day 2008, it seems an appropriate time to make you more aware of an initiative that works hand in hand with the healthy marriage movement; The National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI). Started in 1994 by some concerned Fathers who wanted to stimulate a broad-based social movement to combat Father absence and promote responsible Fatherhood, the NFI's mission is still going strong today. They exist to improve the well being of children by increasing the proportion of children growing up with involved, responsible, and committed Fathers. Their goals include:

 

• Educating and inspiring all Americans, especially fathers, through public awareness campaigns, research, and other resources.
• Equipping and developing leaders of national, state, and community fatherhood initiatives through curricula, training, and technical assistance.
• Engaging every sector of society through strategic alliances and partnerships.

The NFI believes:

• Fathers make unique and irreplaceable contributions to the lives of children
• Father absence produces negative outcomes for their children
• Societies which fail to reinforce a cultural ideal of responsible fatherhood get increasing amounts of father absence
• Widespread fatherlessness is the most socially consequential problem of our time.

When you read these tenents, you can see they are closely tied to our mission. After all, the best way for a Dad to stay involved is to be married to the Mom! Take a moment this month to encourage a Dad in your world who is making a difference in the lives of children.

 

The Sad Truth...

 

Nearly one-third of American women (31 percent) report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives, according to a 1998 Commonwealth Fund survey.*

The entire staff of Community Program Directors and County Directors recently attended an important Domestic Violence Refresher Course. This very troubling and sensitive issue is more common than you might think and part of our commitment to healthy marriages is requiring our Directors and Facilitators to have the knowledge and skills to address any Domestic Violence issues we encounter. If you suspect anyone you know is in this situation, get educated by calling the Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE or go to ndvh.org.

^*The Commonwealth Fund, Health Concerns Across a Woman’s Lifespan: 1998 Survey of Women’s Health, May 1999

You did the best that you knew how. Now that you know better, you'll do better.  - Maya Angelou

 

Don’t forget to check out the class calendar section at our website. This is a great time to take a class!

 

 

Bloggers!

How can you use 2006, blog, and resources in the same sentence? How is a typical 26 year old male in 1965 different from a typical 21st century 26 year old? It will all make sense if you visit our blog articles! Please leave a comment and forward the blog to your friends!

 

 

 

 

So True...

She married him because he was such a "strong man"

She divorced him because he was such a "dominating male."

 

He married her because she was so "fragile and cute."

He divorced her because she was so "weak and helpless."

 

She married him because "he is a good provider."

She divorced him because "all he thinks about is business."

 

He married her because "she reminds me of my mother."

He divorced her because "she's getting more like her mother every day."

 

She married him because he was "happy and romantic."

She divorced him because he was "shiftless and fun-loving."

 

He married her because she was "steady and sensible."

He divorced her because she was "boring and dull."

 

She married him because he was "the life of the party."

She divorced him because "he's a party boy."

                                                                                                   - Unknown

 

 

To All the Dads...for all you do...

Happy Fathers Day from thinkmarriage!

 

Thoughts, wonderings and encouragements are all welcome!

Feel free to email us.