Child abuse has been a social problem for generations and not a solution has been found. It is like an open faucet spilling water, and while we all spend a big effort trying to dry the spilled water, wouldn’t it be better to close the faucet? Parents who commit certain types of abuse with their children are categorized as bad parents, but have we asked ourselves whether they really are bad parents or if they have missed out on information about what parenting is really like? For example: Years ago people traveled on the front seat holding a child on their lap. It was not because they did not love their children or were consciously being bad parents; they acted in ignorance. They did not know that in case of an accident nobody is strong enough to hold and protect their children from harm by embracing them. How many women are aware of the following information before they get pregnant? • 63 % of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (US Dept. of Health/Census). • 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes. • 85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes (Center for Disease Control). • 80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes (Justice & Behavior, Vol. 14, p403-26). • 75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes. • 85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes. • 71% of pregnant teenagers lack a father.

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I'm sure that no woman would like that her children are part of these statistics. We have the responsibility to work for the common good because every child should be brought into the world only if they will be loved and respected. We demand preventive pregnancy support classes to help us become aware of the importance of a father in a child's life and to learn what to expect from a future child’s father. Classes in which single mothers have psychological help for their children and learn how to support their children in order to not fall into these statistics. Classes where women learn how to not fall into the hand of an abuser, instead of seeking assistance for domestic violence. To have parenting classes before pregnancy or getting married instead of parenting classes following a divorce. Moral conscience alone has proven ineffective in ensuring that all children are brought into and maintained in a physically safe and emotionally nurturing environment. The legal obligations of a father are merely of economic nature (child support) and are only enforced when the other parent demands them. If men are legally made responsible for actions considered to affect or even victimize their children, they will carefully consider their actions. This way we are protecting the most defenseless members of society that cannot speak for themselves. I ask: 1) Promote preventive parenting education. 2) Educate society about the legal obligations acquired when conceiving a child. 3) Raise social awareness about how important both biological parents are for the mental and emotional health of children. 4) Create awareness in men that it is not only the responsibility of women to deal with birth control. 5) Promote sexual education including instruction in topics related to human sexuality, sexual relationships, reproductive health, couple relationships, rights and responsibilities of parenthood, birth control, abstinence and other aspects of human sexual behavior. 6) Create and enact specific legal parent’s obligations acquired when they bring children to the world guaranteeing the child’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Thus guaranteeing a woman not be left with the responsibility of raising a child by herself and ensuring that the child will have the love and support of both parents.

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