The My View article by Michele Weldon (“A plea for some singular sensitivity,” June 4) made me, again, realize how our family structure has changed. Yes, we have all heard by now that single-parent homes are the norm in many areas and children are spending more time in day care or with a baby-sitter. We have to accept this as a growing trend, but does that make it right? Is our society better off because of this?
Now Ms. Weldon would like us all to become more “sensitive” and not mention the word Daddy or Mommy in public places because so many lack one, or both. How sad.
The server at Ms. Weldon’s favorite Thai restaurant sounds like she was a foreigner. Try not to get upset with this server just because she is used to families that include a mother and a father. It may not be with the times in America, but nuclear families can be extremely beneficial to the parents, society and to the children’s future.
— Tiffany Hollis, Naperville
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Regarding the question of whether adults who serve alcohol to teens should be held liable for any subsequent damage (Readers Forum, June 4): most definitely!
Do you give a teen a gun and then say, “Here, use it”? In case of damages or fatal accident, the parents/adults should be put in jail; they bore the child, they are responsible.
Do we wonder why the world is the way it is?
— Cissey Murillo, Carol Stream
As a taxpaying, voting citizen of the State of Illinois, I strongly support the Child Safety Act bill.
Most parents I know are committed to wholeheartedly enforcing the law regarding serving alcohol to teens. The vested interest parents have in these young people goes back to Day One, when they were born. Parents are scared witless of alcohol either being made available at a gathering or surreptitiously concealed and brought to a party.
I would like to see the legal ax brought down on the adults who buy alcohol and six-packs for underage drinking teens.
Until they are caught, my earnest wish is for 10,000 fleas in their tent. They are misguided and so wrong.
— Mary Patricia Blyth, Chicago
NO MODEL
As a father who devotes most of his time to his family, and who remains happily married to the mother of his children, I must say I was insulted by your front-page article regarding Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (Relative strangers, June 18). Whose bright idea was it to feature that pathetic excuse for a father on the front of your Father’s Day section? Is he what “Family” is all about? You should have devoted the space to a real man — and a real father — instead of a loser like Hawkins.
What’s next? Advice on being a father from Scottie Pippen?
— Mark S. Anderson, Park Ridge
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UP NEXT
Do you think leave granted to take care of a pressing family issue should be paid?
BACKGROUND: The U.S. Department of Labor recently published rules, which will take effect in mid- to late August, that will permit states to offer parental-leave benefits from state unemployment funds if the states choose to and if the funds have enough money.
Send your response to Chicago Tribune Family section, 5th Floor Features, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60611, or e-mail us at ctc-family@tribune.com.
