Castrate or Celebrate, That Is the Question

While there is an argument to be made, as Malaysian senator Ahmad Hussin does, that fathers who abandon their children should be castrated, let's not rush too quickly to judgment. Perhaps there is a good reason; perhaps there is a backstory that explains the situation in a way that touches hearts across the galaxy; perhaps it is even strong and good enough to serve as the basis for saccharin sentiments — something like Hallmark's new Star Wars-themed Father's Day cards ultimately celebrating the love of Luke and abandoning-pop Vader.

Not Just Games

The higher than reputable Financial Times opines that it is sport (and pretty much only sport) that gets fathers to spend time and talk with their children.

Unfortunately, it is an article that dims the credibility of the institution (and it's not as if newspapers need more bad news for their credibility). There is also work and religion — or even combined together — as exemplified by Crystal Cathedral's Sheila Schuller Coleman taking over for father Robert H. in the troubled megachurch. [Earlier: Meddling in the Middle] And at the other extreme there is also blame, instead of salvation, as in the case of a Chicago-area son whose dad is charging him $560 for a dent in the car that insurance is already covering.

Sport. Religion. Work. Punishment. Probably more, but too much to try and contain in one short piece on bonding fathers and children.

Hearing Impaired

Have the six British prisoners serving extended terms in Her Majesty's gaols who claim their human rights are being violated because they aren't allowed to donate father sperm considered how they actually will parent?

A number of courts decided otherwise, but a "Grand Chamber" in Strassbourg decided — in a case brought by Kirk Dickson, 34, serving at least 15 years for kicking a man to death who hopes to knock up wife Lorraine, 48, who he met by writing nots to her while she was in prison for benefits fraud — that under European law, cons should get to father even though it would be many years, if ever, that they will actually be able to daddy. And so five other dad wannabees all demanded Britain let them share their goodies. Currently the British government Justice Minister Jack Straw is all in a dither over what to do.

Would it dissuade them at all (or help Straw figuring out how to keep them punished while letting them be a father) to learn of Debary (Fla.) dad Frank Formisano? He tried to do the right thing and remove his daughter's cell phone from her ear as punishment and because of his sudden move to take it away, the german shepherd who had guarded her as a baby bit off his a part of his ear. (A tale of a tail and paws that makes it even less likely Things 1 & 2 get a dog as I already have so many hurdles to get them to put down their phones and study ... or talk like real people to others in the same room.)

Punishment Updates

Trust is out. Precaution is in. That is the fathering hint(s) of the day, at least in terms of punishment.

Two dads corporally punished. Phillip Connor, who frogmarched his son back to the candy shop from which he stole is a hero because he did it after talking the punishment over with the police. On the other hand, even though an unnamed — to protect both the guilty dad and daughter — Hedgesville, W.Va., father thought it was no big deal to tie his misbehaving teen daughter up in the basement as punishment (because it wasn't that tight or for that long), police believed differently. He didn't call for permission and he will now be tied up in court dates.

So the rule of law (at least for today) seems to be not to trust your instincts, but to check with authorities. Additionally, don't trust the screens of your little computer. Occassionally break into their work to have a looksee yourself and make sure they aren't hiding their activity from you using something like Dad's Around, software that lets the user hit a "hot key" to avoid the prying eyes and (hopefully) a father's punishment.