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Fathers Empowered: Families Healed, Society Transformed
“When fathers are empowered, families are stabilized, and society is healed.”
The November air in Washington, D.C. carried whispers of change as community leaders, researchers, and policymakers gathered at the International Council for Men and Boys conference. Voices normally silenced in gender discourse found amplification in the crowded conference hall.
“The war on men has harmed us all,”
The problem, laid bare through data-driven presentations and personal testimonies, was clear: our families are fracturing, and with them, the fabric of community. Journalist Lisa Britton’s words cut through the conference air like a knife. “The war on men has harmed us all,” she declared, her voice steady despite the emotional weight of her message. Around the room, heads nodded in recognition, a silent acknowledgment of shared pain.
As the day unfolded, the investigation deepened. Dr. William Bernet dismantled misconceptions about parental alienation. The scratch of pens on notepads filled pauses between his revelations, as attendees documented truths long obscured by misinformation. Nearby, Dr. Don Hubin’s charts illuminated how financial incentives in child support laws often fuel conflict rather than cooperation.
Understanding emerged through diverse perspectives. From Israel, Dr. Benjamin Bailey’s voice cracked with emotion describing two decades of supporting male domestic violence victims. “We cannot build family safety on half-truths,” he explained. The room fell silent, the weight of his testimony settling like dust in afternoon light.
Common ground appeared unexpectedly. State Representatives Jamie Ray Gragg and Jamie Flick, though from different political parties, found unity in their legislative approaches to fatherhood.
Forward movement crystallized in commitments. Dr. Warren Farrell, previewing his forthcoming book, outlined policy recommendations that placed children’s needs at the center. The sound of shuffling papers and determined voices filled the space as participants exchanged contact information, planning community actions back home.
As the conference concluded, the atmosphere had shifted. What began as strangers transformed into a community resolved to heal divisions. The path forward won’t be easy, but Finally, we’re talking about what matters.”