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F & F’s Glenn Sacks Debates Dad-Bashing ‘Married Single Moms’ Survey on MSNBC Live (Video Available)
 F & F’s Glenn Sacks debated the new dad-bashing ‘Married Single Moms’ survey on MSNBC Live on Friday, June 17.
The survey’s promoters, ForbesWoman.com and TheBump.com, claim in their highly-publicized press release that many mothers feel their husbands do so little that, though married, they’re really like single mothers who have to do all the work.
To watch the debate, click here.
In the show’s opening we’re told that 92% of mothers feel “overwhelmed” and 70% resent their husbands. Alison Bernstein, Senior Editor of TheBump.com, then explained that “even working moms feel like they’re taking the majority of work on their shoulders.”
 Sacks replied with three points:
1) Studies have repeatedly shown that when both work in the home and work in the job market are counted, men contribute at least as much work to their homes as women do. Sacks has detailed this research in the past in columns in the Chicago Tribune here, World Net Daily here, and others.
2) Re: Bernstein’s complaint “even working mom feel like they’re taking the majority of work on their shoulders,” even comparing men and women who both work fulltime, men still work an average of eight hours a week more than women do.
3) In the social science field the kind of survey MSNBC is promoting is known as a “SLOP”—a Self-selected Listener Opinion Poll. SLOPs are a widely discredited methodology, because generally the people who take the time to fill out the survey are those who have a reason to be angry—exactly the response the “Married Single Moms’ survey promoters claim its survey revealed. This data cannot be credibly applied to the average mother or family.
In response, Bernstein changed her position, stating that the survey isn’t about “pitting moms and dads against each other.” This is a far cry from her organization’s press release, which announced in all caps that “Both working and stay-at-home moms feel like a ‘married single mom’,” and that mothers’ “feelings of resentment dominate.”
Divorced Father Thomas Ball Commits Suicide in Front of NH Courthouse
Thomas Ball, a troubled New England divorced father, took his own life in front of the door of the courthouse in Keene, New Hampshire on Wednesday. His suicide apparently was precipitated by Ball believing he would soon be jailed for being behind on a child support obligation he says he was unable to meet.
Ball left a lengthy narrative of his experiences with the court that detailed how he lost his children. It revealed a deeply troubled individual who nevertheless understood clearly the workings of family courts. Fathers and Families’ Board Chairman Ned Holstein, M.D. said:
The callous and disrespectful treatment of so many fathers by the family courts means that tragedies like this one are sure to befall the most fragile among them.
In his narrative, Thomas Ball’s pain and frustration are palpable. Anyone going through the loss of his children would understand his feelings. But that does not justify the violence Ball advocates in paragraphs 73-78 of his 15 page final statement. We sympathize with Ball's ordeal in family court; we feel for his loss. We will never condone exhortations to violence.
We have been in touch with various media outlets concerning Ball's suicide and are educating reporters on the myriad injustices of the family court system.
We do not want to encourage "copycat" suicides or desperate actions--if you or someone you love feels suicidal, please have them contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It is a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ |
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| Join Fathers and Families |
 Fathers and Families is a family court reform organization with a comprehensive strategy, an impressive history of legislative and fundraising success, and the largest reach of any advocacy group of its kind:
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| F & F in the Media |
Boston Globe Sunday Magazine Does Feature on F & F’s Holstein
Fathers and Families’ Board Chairman and founder Ned Holstein, M.D., M.S. has worked hard for over a decade to found and build the family court reform movement's largest and most effective organization.
On Father's Day the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine ran a feature interview on Ned--a tribute long overdue to a remarkable man. To read the interview, click here.
Radio
Fathers and Families’ Ned Holstein, MD, MS Condemns Family Courts ‘Special Interests & Archaic Teachings’ on The Jeff Katz Show on AM WXKS 1200 in Boston (Audio available) (6/17/11)
Fathers and Families’ Glenn Sacks’ New Column
Fathers get a bad rap in the media and the courts
(Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, 6/18/11)
Fathers and Families’ Robert Franklin’s New Column
For Father’s Day, give the gift of equal parenting
(Buffalo News, 6/19/11).
Radio
Fathers and Families’ Ned Holstein, MD, MS discusses shared parenting on the Kathryn Zox Showon 1160 WMET AM in Washington DC (6/15/11)
Radio
Fathers and Families’ Ned Holstein, MD, MS discusses shared parenting on The Bill Meyer Show on KMED AM 1440 in Southern Oregon (6/13/11)
Fathers and Families’ Glenn Sacks Quoted
Money and gender
(UK Guardian, 6/10/11) |
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| A Clarification Re: F & F’s Election 2012 Campaign |
Recently there has been some confusion over the Fathers and Families’ Election 2012 Campaign, and we’d like to clear it up.
Because of our recent conversations with Republican presidential contenders Gingrich, Huntsman, Pawlenty and Johnson, some people have incorrectly concluded that we are somehow leaning to the right. This is false–we’ve been asking Republican candidates about these issues because the candidates campaigning in New Hampshire are Republicans.
There are lots of Republican events going on, and almost no Democratic events. This is because the Republican primary will be hotly contested, whereas the Democrats have an incumbent running. When President Obama comes to New Hampshire to campaign, we will try to ask him the same questions.
To reiterate what we’ve consistently posted on our website, Fathers and Families is resolutely non-partisan and has and continues to work successfully with legislators on both sides of the aisle on legislation to promote family court reform. Our primary goal is to protect the loving bonds children share with both parents after divorce or separation, and we’re happy to work with any legislators or political figures who share this goal.
If you have thoughts about our Campaign or this statement and would like to communicate with us directly, please email.
If you would like to volunteer to be a part of our Fathers and Families’ Election 2012 Campaign, please fill out our volunteer form here.
Our New Hampshire efforts cost money—please help defray our costs by giving.
Together with you in the love of our children,
Ned Holstein, M.D., M.S.
Founder, Chairman of the Board, Fathers and Families
Glenn Sacks, MA
National Executive Director, Fathers and Families |
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