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Last Friday, I wrote about how thankful I am for Dads4Kids. Since 2002, Dads4Kids has worked tirelessly to turn the tide of fatherlessness, which has been shown to cause significant social harm.

Tragically, Australia is facing an ongoing crisis. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 870,000 children, about one in six, live without their biological father at home. The data shows that fatherlessness plays a major role in nearly all the social issues our nation faces today. The statistics are grim, but hope remains.

Every year, our team at Dads4Kids reaches millions of people online and through mainstream media with key messages to encourage fathers. There is still much to do to turn the tide of fatherlessness, but I know in my heart that we are slowly but surely making a positive impact for the future.

As I wrote last Friday, we recently received a beautifully pertinent comment from a generous Dads4Kids supporter:

For the dads who are not rotten grapes and their children who need those dads. For the unspoken war on men in general, supporting children to be torn from their dads. For seeking an end to that war and acceptance that peace is for children’s future. For once we were all children.

The comment stopped me in my tracks.

Yes, there are some sorry dads in the world, but the vast majority of dads are putting in as much effort as they possibly can. We dads don’t always get it right, but we’re trying our best, and Dads4Kids exists to support and encourage as many dads as possible.

As our dear friend Ps James Dargin said during our recent Breakthrough Webinar, “There are a few rotten grapes in the bunch, but we’re not all rotten. There are many good men and good fathers.” Ps James and Dads4Kids supporters are spot on. If you haven’t watched it already, check out the webinar recording below to hear more from James and others.

War on Men is a War on Children

Sadly, there is an ongoing war on men and fathers. It seems to have started late last century but has ratcheted up in recent decades. To quote my father and Dads4Kids cofounder Warwick Marsh:

What is the answer? We must learn to celebrate masculinity and femininity because they are wonderfully complementary and beautifully mysterious. We need to seek the good in each other, not the bad.

Let us not take the razor to masculinity or femininity because both are precious to our children, and our children need to experience the qualities of both.

Where would the world be without self-effacing masculine fathers, who, leading by example, show their sons how to treat women and girls and what their daughters should expect from their future partner, and not settle for anything less? Where would the world be without self-sacrificing, feminine mothers who also lead by example and help children understand what love really is?

We need to stop the gender war and call out bad behaviour for what it is, whether male or female. Only then will our children learn the benefits of truly moral behaviour. Only then will the world be a better place.

Dad wrote this inspired call to action several years ago, but the words ring as true today as when they were written.

As the Dads4Kids donor powerfully wrote, ending the war on men will ultimately benefit children. Peace, for our children’s sake. That’s why Dads4Kids has worked tirelessly since 2002, and it’s why we’ll continue working for Australia’s children for as long as we can. It’s why we need your financial support at the end of this financial year.

Our Children, Our Future

As we often say at Dads4Kids, “Our Children, Our Future.” Why? Because once we were all children.

The truth is, Australia’s children are the future of this great country. They’ll grow up to be the future dads and mums, the future workers, and the future leaders. One day, sooner than we think, the future will be in our children’s hands.

All the more reason to invest in them now, while we still can.

Yours for Australia’s children,

Nathaniel Marsh

P.S. A massive THANK YOU to all those who have generously donated to Dads4Kids EOFY Campaign. We profoundly appreciate every donation, large or small, as we continue working to turn the tide of fatherlessness.

If you haven’t already donated, please give what you can. If you know someone who may value the work of Dads4Kids or would like to make a difference for Australia’s children, please forward this email to them.

We still have a long way to go to meet our end-of-financial-year funding goal of $300,000 by 30 June. Please, give what you can today before 30 June to ensure Dads4Kids’ important work of helping give Australia’s children the best start in life continues.

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Originally published at Dads4Kids. Image via Adobe.