How About Those Missing Fathers?

* I was interested in Gilbert Geis’ commentary on violence (Dec. 5). As a mother of two children, I am deeply concerned about crime and gang activity in the city and the suburbs.

Although I found the article insightful on many points, I was disappointed that Geis made no mention of fathers’ roles in these issues and instead included “mothers who have moved out of the home into the work arena” as one of the causes of gang activity.

I’m sure Geis must realize that most women are not only working in the home and another eight hours outside the home for a very good reason. Many of them and their families have been virtually abandoned by the men who used to bring home paychecks and provide parental supervision within the home.

Now that many men have abdicated their responsibilities in the home and the community, women are left to try to keep all of these things afloat, and at the same time try to keep their children--many of whom are looking for male role models--out of gangs.

It was only one generation ago when men were embarrassed to have their wives working. Now it seems men have come full circle and find it quite enjoyable that women are willing to do all the housework and bring home the bacon.

This may or may not be true in most households. But to imply that women have abandoned their families, leaving the neighborhood “unwatched by a cadre of housewives” is not a very fair or accurate assessment.

Although there was no mention in Geis’ article of men’s influence on young people and no mention of fatherhood at all, I would venture to say that most of today’s young troublemakers and tomorrow’s gang members are currently neglected by their fathers, not their mothers. Their mothers are home. It’s just that they’re doing the housework after working the day shift. Hello, husbands and fathers. Are YOU home?

KAREN NEWELL YOUNG

Santa Ana