Columnist missed value of fathers

A May 13 article by Dr. Ken Potts pointedly extolled the importance of mothers and in contrast strikingly reduced the role of fathers in the lives of us all. In marveling over the mother-child bond, he commented, "It is radically different, I am convinced, from that found between fathers and their children.; there is also something both deeply emotional and profoundly spiritual in its makeup (between mothers and their children) that defies explanation."

His article is sentimental and at times tear producing but unfair to us dads.

I'm a father, a grandfather and a school and clinical psychologist. I have worked with hundreds of families with and without fathers. With some exceptions (i.e., strong mother figures along with competent and caring father substitutes), fatherless homes can be profoundly detrimental to the mental health of the growing child and quite damaging to the overall dynamic of the family structure.

Both Mommy and Daddy are vital to the maturing child in equal but different ways. The touch and caress of Dad is lovingly different, the assertiveness and strength that Dad radiates to the child is qualitatively different, and the way he communicates to his son/daughter is not like Mom but just as important.

And then there is the dynamic of role model identification, so important in today's discussion of sexual identity. Daddies are real and precious in the lives of their children. The presence of a good mom and good dad in the life of us all is tantamount to who we are and who we become.

Dr. Potts, don't discount either one.

Larry Joel Powitz

Arlington Heights