Absent fathers —a community issue in valley, nation

Amber alert: Missing fathers of all descriptions vanished from their children's lives. Reward for information leading to their return.

"This is an emergency? Really?" may be your reaction. Sadly, this is an urgent situation too many parents in the valley and nationwide don't grasp.

Today, 40 percent of American children will go to sleep in father-absent homes.

One man who does get it is former Rep. George Radanovich of Mariposa, who served 16 years in the House before retiring in 2010. In a commentary published in the Dec. 26 Bee, he wrote particularly to conservatives, imploring them to champion the cause of preventing fatherlessness, unwed pregnancy and divorce.

He makes a passionate and impressive case, listing powerful advantages to two-parent homes and frightening statistics on the alternative. The most dramatic is that fatherhood is a lifesaving role: 63 percent of youths who commit suicide come from father-absent homes.

Children without fathers in the home are twice as likely to end up in jail, or suffer as victims of child or sexual abuse.

Fatherhood is one campaign that should be embraced by good people of all political beliefs. This is a problem that grows exponentially because it is generational. Fatherless children too often repeat the pattern.

It is particularly important that this is not seen as strictly a women's issue — real change will not come about until men are willing to "get in the grill" of other men, challenging and inspiring them to bring up their children within stable, loving two-parent homes.

This also should not be taken as a slap at single mothers. Many are true heroines.

Radanovich has established the Four Institutions foundation to coalesce efforts toward this goal. It is well worth the community's consideration. Find out more at www.thefourinstitutions.com.