THE SENSE OF "ONENESS"

We are all searching for something. For some, that “something” is affirmation … love …. money … power … fame. And for some, that “something” is justice … truth … knowledge … purpose. For Men – especially Men who are Fathers -- in our cities, suburbs, rural districts, municipalities, townships, villages and hamlets, the search has been about finding key “pieces of the puzzle” that will enable them to create and implement plans that will move their families forward … to become more proactive in their children’s lives .. . to strengthen and empower the communities in which they live and work. It is a search that transcends the boundaries of geography, politics, language, religion, ethnicity, class, culture, and economics. It is a search that has moved Men to rethink, reshape and redefine their parental roles and responsibilities. It is a search that has created the sense of “oneness” among Married Fathers, Divorced Fathers, Single Fathers, Custodial Fathers, “Long Distance” Fathers, “Stay-At-Home” Fathers and Non-Custodial Fathers.

The sense of “oneness” is moving Men to create key “pieces of the puzzle” that will address their unique parenting and health issues. Literature, national and international conferences, the ballot box, the courts and peaceful demonstrations in the streets in our cities throughout our global village are just a few of the vehicles that Men are utilizing to create key “pieces of the puzzle” that they need to move their families forward. . . to positively shape the minds and souls of our children . . . and to strengthen the communities in which they live and work. The sense of “oneness” among Married Fathers, Divorced Fathers, Single Fathers, Custodial Fathers, “Long Distance” Fathers, “Stay-At-Home” Fathers and Non-Custodial Fathers is helping to quietly reshape legislation and public policy throughout our global village. Recently, 50/50 equal parenting became the law of the land in Denmark and bitter, costly and destructive child custody court battles have been eliminated. In many European countries, Fathers are granted paternity leave by their employers. In the United States, the sense of “oneness” moved Men to push for increased research and research funding for prostate cancer, colon cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, diabetes, and heart disease. And they are collaborating with each other, legislators and the medical and scientific communities to do something about it. The sense of “oneness” has set into motion the creation of legislation that has been introduced in Congress and the Senate which, when passed, will create an Office of Men’s Health within the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

The sense of “oneness” among Married Fathers, Divorced Fathers, Single Fathers, Custodial Fathers, “Long Distance” Fathers, “Stay-At-Home” Fathers and Non-Custodial Fathers throughout our global village evolves from a clear understanding that while children are an extension of ourselves, they represent our future … our bridge to the future.