Rating: 
Summary: No way to overestimate this book's importance!
Review: Even before I had received this book, I made a promise by e-mail to the author to write a review of it [to which he personally responded warmly and gratefully], and I do regret this is so long in coming. So moved was I by the book that, as soon as I had finished the book the first time, I literally closed the book, opened it at the beginning, and began to read it again. I wanted to do the book justice before I reviewed it. I finished the second reading and started reading it a third time, which I have yet to complete.
But then I did realize that, there is really no way to do the book justice; it is THAT important. Other reviewers can better elaborate the ground covered by the book, but I will say Part I offers a look at the ways society hurts fathers and Part II, the ways in which fathers can be welcomed home again. And welcomed they must be. Somewhere in the book [part I, I believe], there is a story that chills me to this day, about a single mother and her out-of-control teenage daughter.
One day, when the mother tries to feed the daughter, she, the mother, becomes so enraged by the daughter's foul-mouthed belligerence, that the mother slaps her.
Sneering, the daughter calmly picks up the phone, and calls for the authorities, even going so far as to feign terror, pretending the mother is the one out of control. You can imagine for yourself how the rest of the story turns out. The mother knows the daughter can now fake abuse whenever she wants, and the mother considers herself in no position to discipline her child, knowing that in the end it is the child who will suffer [and of course, also anyone unfortunate enough to encounter the daughter].
Little seems to be said about how the daughter was ever allowed to become this bad [a less charitable word might be, I don't know, EVIL!]. Nor does there seem to be much indication of any kind of father, absentee or other wise. If this story doesn't speak volumes about the need for a father in the life of a child, then I don't know what does. Perhaps that is its whole point.
The final coda in the book brings it all together, a touching and warm mantra on behalf of fathers. I wish this review could do justice to the book, but as I said, I don't believe it to be possible.
Rating:
Summary: A psychologist's perspective
Review: FATHER AND CHILD REUNION presents some shocking statistics, for example the fact that one-quarter of American children (17 million) are living without their dads, and Warren Farrell suggests that this phenomenon leaves children with what he movingly calls "dad hunger." The vital importance of fathers' involvement in their children's lives after a divorce is powerfully emphasized. Psychotherapists who work with children of divorced parents will especially appreciate this emphasis (as I did), as well as the much-needed practical nuggets for parents: warnings that parents' badmouthing of each other to the children can become a form of child abuse; reminders that in terms of Dad's involvement "the car trip to and from the soccer game is potentially as important as the game itself". Farrell researches assiduously, writes with great passion and eloquence, and dares to ask brave questions and suggest possible answers. Hopefully his book will be a wake-up call encouraging us to look squarely at the vitally important question he puts before us: "What's missing when Dad's missing?" --Mary Gilligan Wong, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
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Summary: must read for all dads, all men, all women
Review: For men and women, everyone interested in current gender predicaments and how to ease the tension this is must reading. The most articulate analysis of how we got into such a mess (no blaming) and how to love each other again, and the disaster zone that radical feminism has made of childhood. Clear, intelligent, human, compassionate, good- natured - therefore, probably doomed to fail in this sad, mixed-up country.
Rating:
Summary: now fathers
Review: Former board member of NOW writes with uncommon guts. Studies here show dads at least as good as moms. Gives me hope of getting back to my dad and my kids.
Rating:
Summary: now fathers
Review: Former board member of NOW writes with uncommon guts. Studies here show dads at least as good as moms. Gives me hope of getting back to my dad and my kids.
Rating:
Summary: It made me a nervous wreck.
Review: Got this book pronto from Amazon. Good service. This is the first book I've ever read that actually made my hands tremble. Its understanding of the sexes is almost frightening. Warren Farrell has got to be the world's most insightful researcher into gender. Sadly, though, because of its brutal honesty and political incorrect views regarding mothers, fathers, and children, the mainstream media will ignore it and ideological feminists will wage war against it.
Rating:
Summary: Get The Highlighters Ready
Review: Have a couple new highlighters ready when you read Dr. Farrell's new book! Dr. Farrell is the guru on this issue and he's proven it again. He presents concepts that you know intuitively but can't articulate, as well as presenting concepts you never even heard of but for which you readily send up a cheer.
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Summary: Return of the Lost Fathers
Review: I am a psychotherapist who has been helping people deal with drug and alcohol problems, family violence, and depression for the last 35 years. I believe that the key factor underlying these problems and many others is the lack of good fathering in families today.Dr. Farrell helps us understand why the absentee father has become the norm in our society today. He also shows us the devastating results when fathers are not present to assist in the raising of their children. Finally, he gives us solutions that will work in helping to return fathers to the children who need them. To be sure, I've worked with a few fathers over the years who are so damaged themselves, they should not be with their children. However, these are the rare exceptions. Many, many more fathers are caring, competent, and compassionate. If you are a father, a mother, a son, or a daughter, do yourself a favor and buy this book.
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Summary: Finally, the truth of divorce, custody, and single parenting
Review: I am a social worker, and was a social work graduate student ( I had to drop out of graduate school due to lack of funds and no assistantship.
I am also a divorced, non-custodial father. I have ready many books and research papers about social policy, child welfare, and child welfare practices. Father and Child Reunion is the best publication I read to date about divorce, custody, child support, and social policy. Dr. Farrell writes in a clear, concise, and highly readable style. He has also done his homework. The book is well researched. This is book needs to be distributed to every family court judge, divorce court judge, and child protective custody worker in North America and the rest of the world. I have remained anonymous for two reasons. First because my profession is about 70% female and operates under many if not all of the assumptions that Dr. Farrell deconstructs in his book. Second because I want to complete my graduate education. Buy this book! Give it to your friends! Give it to sons and brothers and fathers and uncles and nephews!
Rating:
Summary: Bring Back The Fathers: Kids Need Dads
Review: I had the privilege of reading a pre-publication copy of this book and I can't wait until January to talk about it. Warren Farrell has written many books about how to bring men and women together by ending gender warfare but this time he shows how the children are damaged by the warfare and demonstrates the need for all of us to work together to bring fathers back into the lives of children. Whether it is the runaway Dad who needs to be coaxed back into fatherhood or the disconnected Dad who is too busy for the kids or the pushed-away Dad who has been victimized by an unfairly restrictive custody order, Farrell marshalls the proof that Dads are needed for the well-being of their children and for the future of our society. Based on thirteen years of intensive research, Farrell presents mountains of information on the importance of Dads, all of it cross-referenced to the original sources and scientific studies. As a true gender equality advocate (three time member of the N.Y. National Organization for Women Board of Directors and the leader of gender equality training workshops for thousands of men and women), Farrell demonstrates the benefits of increased father involvement for women, for children and for the men themselves. Everybody gains from helping men to be good Dads and from giving them the opportunity to do so. Sure, there are pathological extremes among Dads as in any large group but Farrell shows that most Dads are just ordinary guys who love their kids and who want to be an active part of their lives. Anyone who cares about family health and well-being needs to read this book to better understand the children's need for a father-friendly social environment Most importantly, this book needs to be read by every father to better understand the potential for his contribution to his children and by every mother who wants the best for her children. Mothers and fathers working together for the benefit of their children is best for all of us. It's as simple as recognizing that two is more than one with Farrell showing us just how much more and how to overcome the difficulties of bringing one and one together to make two for the benefit of the children. Buy this book. Read this book. Give copies to everybody you know. It's that important.
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