At a time when American men are more active now than ever before in the daily lives of their offspring, a growing number of children have no father in their lives. Children with absentee fathers are more likely to be poor, abuse alcohol or drugs, drop out of school and suffer from health or emotional problems.
Boys are more likely to become violent, and girls are more likely to become pregnant.
As a social worker who counsels incarcerated men, Justin LaRosa knows those are common concerns in a fatherless home. It has also led him to believe that fatherlessness is the nation's most significant social threat. Housed at the Orient Road Jail, the classes are targeted to fathers and those men in the roles of fathers who are serving time for charges ranging from violation of probation, theft, drug possession and drunk driving. The inmates explore the relationship between them and their children during the weekly rap sessions. LaRosa, a project director for the Child Abuse Council, Inc., said frank discussions help the men build trust, handle anger and set rules and limits when it comes to dealing with their children.