Even before the invention of child development specialists and psychologists such as myself, most men somehow managed to be good and decent fathers to their children. To suggest that all men, everywhere, need a class to be good dads is to professionalize fatherhood and, in the process, infantilize men. Moreover, buying into the idea that men are incapable of fulfilling their paternal responsibilities without the assistance of a professional, could lead to an expansion of an already bloated welfare state. Heaven knows we don't need that. Also, assuming men are the only ones who could benefit from parenting education is buying into the cultural myth that parenting comes more naturally to women than to men.
Women are just better at asking directions.
At the same time, I remain quite convinced there is a dire need for more outreach, support and, yes, even skill building programs for fathers. First, there are times when many men are especially anxious about fatherhood. One of those times is when a man is awaiting the birth of his first child. I see nothing wrong in helping men in such circumstances learn skills, such as how to hold, diaper, and burp a baby, that will not only decrease their anxiety, but increase the likelihood they will interact in positive ways with their babies. I think we can all agree on the appropriateness of providing men with the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective fathers to children with special needs.