WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama pledged a series of new initiatives to support responsible fatherhood Monday, but he called on fathers to recognize that government cannot do what they can best do in the home.
In his annual Father’s Day event, Obama urged fathers to mentor their own children and to reach out to those in the community who don’t have strong parental or guardian support.
“I can’t legislate fatherhood. I can’t force anybody to love a child,” Obama told a crowd gathered at a community center on the southeast side of Washington. “But what we can do is send a clear message to our fathers that there is no excuse for failing to meet their obligations.”
The White House is kicking off a program to recruit mentors and give them support. People who sign up to take part in the Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative will get e-newsletters with tips and information about fatherhood and mentoring.
The NFL Players’ Association is also getting involved, and the national Parent Teacher Association will help promote participation.
