Million Father March: Men Taking Their Children To School On The First Day

Lost in the Shuffle of the Foreclosure Dilemma

by Shelly Davis

The home foreclosure crisis is destroying American neighborhoods and as a result it is having a serious impact on children. According to Harkness and Newman (2003) children do better in school when they live in stable communities. Stable communities as defined by Harkness and Newman are neighborhoods where the residents are homeowners, thus creating a sense of stability children need to develop relationships with and in their communities, to include their schools which promotes success academically.

Families with children are the biggest losers in the foreclosure crisis. These families not only lose their home and the sense of stability associated with homeownership, these children are now at a greater risk of faltering academically. Poor academic development will affect their future financial security. It is reasonable to assume the children of foreclosed homeowners run the risk of becoming victims of foreclosures themselves in the future due to unscrupulous lenders, unless they can achieve academically and persist onto postsecondary success.

Men Make A Difference

Fathers/significant male role models: Have a major impact on student success. Data shows that when fathers and significant male role models are involved students:

• Make As and Bs,
  
• Have greater motivation to succeed
  
• Have higher self-esteem
  
• Have less health and emotional problems
  
• More confidence
  
• Are less likely to use drugs
  
• Girls are less likely to engage in pre-marital sex
  
• Are less likely to become teenage parents

Fathers Can Impact The Academic Success of Their Children

“Children whose fathers are involved in their education have greater academic achievement than their peers, even when taking into account their mothers’ involvement. Father's involvement in their children's education was associated with greater academic achievement, even when controlling for mothers' involvement" (McBride, Brent A. 2005).For more information please click on: http://www.familyfacts.org/findingdetail.cfm?finding=9373