Foundational Cracks in Our Society

Since nearly 30 years, I have visited San Quentin State Prison as a mentor, advisor, and advocate for change. Initially my journey started on the basketball court where I competed against inmates; over time it led me into chapel preaching services as well. Soon enough my role expanded further with me becoming an advisor for San Quentin News newspaper run entirely by inmates - it's here that I witnessed incredible transformations first-hand while learning of its significance within correctional facilities.

The Power of Fatherhood Programs are available.

San Quentin Prison hosts an innovative initiative called the Man 2 Man program. This unique endeavor provides support, guidance and education to incarcerated fathers - teaching them how to be better parents even from behind bars - thus making a real impactful difference to the lives of their children.

If a house has missing roof parts with holes in them, they will not condemn it. If it has missing windows and/or doors that are off their hinges, or plumbing leaks which cause leakage into soft wood causing termite infestation, they would still likely not condemn it either. But should an inspector discover cracked foundations - an unfortunate reality of living today - then I guarantee they would condemn that house immediately!

Houses may undergo numerous challenges, yet as long as its foundation remains secure it can withstand them with resilience. This analogy perfectly illustrates the struggles I see families and individuals facing every day - many who often go unacknowleged by society due to a lack of guidance from an adult male role model in their lives.

Our society does not view fathers as part of the equation but more as an afterthought, making services less father-friendly. An absence of a father can leave an empty space within an individual and, eventually, within their community; its effects may not be immediately obvious but will become increasingly clear over time. Just like missing roof tiles or plumbing pipes can leave holes that impact trust, identity formation, decision-making difficulties or lead to other foundational cracks to appear within both an individual's foundation as well as with the community overall.

Fatherlessness has long been recognized as a major trend across societies, making the impact of growing up without an adult male figure a profound one. Indeed, some have proposed that as much as 90% of our social problems may be traced back to fatherlessness - from teenage mothers with babies and fatherless boys becoming violent with guns or weapons themselves.

Corrections professionals work with individuals whose lives have experienced foundational cracks. Our goal is to identify their root causes of distress, providing support and guidance while they rebuild their foundations - which has resulted in life-altering transformations both personally and societally.

Just as a home's foundation supports its entire structure, fathers serve as the pillar of support in their own families. When we understand and address any foundational cracks that appear within families or communities, the transformation begins by recognising father's importance and actively working to fill any voids left by fathers who leave an absence behind.

An Alarming statistic concerning fatherless children.

To underscore the gravity of these foundational cracks, let us examine some shocking statistics: According to The Fatherless Generation and National Center for Fathering, 85% of youths incarcerated come from homes without father figures while 71% of high school dropouts share this path. These numbers don't just represent numbers; they represent lives affected by an absence of male role models.

The Institute for Family Studies recently issued a study, "Life Without Father: Less College, Less Work, and More Prison for Young Men." Growing up without a father has far-reaching consequences that impact education, employment opportunities, and even often lead to imprisonment if left unaddressed - this cycle only continues if left unaddressed.

Call to Action Although we often claim our sympathy for those incarcerated, just having empathy alone isn't enough. Everyone, no matter their background or identity can contribute to positive change - society as a whole can make a difference, but sometimes individuals prioritize self-gain over giving back.

Many individuals have the means to donate to worthy causes, yet many only give in order to take advantage of tax write-offs or simply to fulfill an obligation without making a substantial difference. But making real change requires more than token efforts - it requires genuine dedication towards effecting change.

Man 2 Man has garnered many compliments for its work, yet I must remain aware that creating change is not solely my responsibility; rather it requires society as a whole to work towards transformational changes. If we're serious about seeing true results then all must invest in our society for real growth to take place.

Incarcerated individuals like those I work with often face significant obstacles and make poor choices due to the environment in which they were raised, with influences such as street violence often shaping their decisions and shaping them down a path with no escape. Transforming such individuals involves altering their mindset, uprooting old foundations and building new ones which empower them to make healthier choices in the future.

If we truly desire a world that is more just, compassionate, and inclusive then it is our collective duty to contribute towards this vision of change. Change does not happen spontaneously - rather it requires active engagement from each of us in creating it.

Rehabilitation must take precedence over punishment. Life behind bars does not have to be lost - with the appropriate support and opportunities, these individuals can reintegrate into society as responsible and productive members.

In conclusion, to achieve lasting change we must all take responsibility as individuals and society as a whole and work toward it together. All members have an integral part to play in creating an equitable and more compassionate world - not simply empathize with it but by acting and making the collective commitment for change to happen.