Have you ever thought about what your life would have been like if you didn't have a father, or perhaps, if you had a different father?

A father presence has led to many statistical studies that certainly indicate that a father brings income, discipline, humor and much more into a child's life, while no father leads to dire statistics of higher poverty and more negative outcomes for children.  But this isn't to say the presence of an abusive father is better - this is more to say a positive father brings positive child outcomes.  The question becomes is an abusive father better than no father?  I believe the answer is no - an abusive father, that doesn't change, is far worse. 

Consider that an abusive fathering leads to children growing into adults that have a difficult time forming long lasting relationships due to lack of trust in others and an inability to love, studies also indicate this trust factor affects the ability to hold onto jobs long term.  Abuse also hampers self esteem and if the abuse is sexual in nature it leads to a feeling of shame and the carrying of a stigma that is life long.  Studies also indicate that an abusive parent increases alcohol and drug addiction in the children, as they attempt to alleviate the painful thoughts of being abused. 

Why this is being mentioned here is due to April being Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Any who may chance upon these words may pause to think about if they do any sort of abuse to their children, no matter how small, from a simple name call, to physical abuse.  Perhaps you know someone who is being abusive and want to intercede? 

Our children deserve the best - lets make sure our communities assure they get it.