Letter: Where are the dads?

We had a boat stolen at the boathouse this weekend by two boys.  Caught the whole thing on camera.  Middle of the day.  A crime of opportunity.

The guy who had actually rented it, like most customers, left lifejackets, etc. in the boat and no sooner had he left than the two boys got in and took off.

We like to see boys fishing.  We like to encourage boys who like to fish.  We had some worms left behind by a fellow in case kids without cash needed bait.  We gave these to the boys.  The weather wasn’t the best so they asked for coffee.  No charge.  The City of Lakewood actually has fishing poles here at the boathouse for use by kids.

And they took a boat.  Didn’t ask.  We didn’t see it.  But the camera did.

An ancient proverb declares, “A foolish son is the calamity of his father.”  Maybe ‘calamity’ is too strong a word?  “A state of deep distress or misery caused by major misfortune or loss.”

Is missing a boat a major misfortune?  Are these sons a calamity to their dads?  Are there dads?  And if there are dads, why weren’t they here taking their boys fishing?

I know who these boys are.  But I wonder if their fathers do.

According to www.thementoringproject.org, “In the United States alone, some 25 million young people are growing up without a father. For millions, this is a personal tragedy, it is also an epidemic. Fatherlessness is the engine driving our most urgent social crises from: gangs, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and suicide.”

Locally we have mentoring opportunities through Communities In Schools.  Contact Amy Madden for further information, amadden@cloverpark.k12.wa.us.