The United States is rapidly becoming a fatherless society. Fatherlessness is the leading cause of declining child well-being, providing the impetus behind social problems such as crime, domestic violence, and adolescent pregnancy. Challenging the basic assumptions of opinion leaders in academia and in the media, this book debunks the prevailing wisdom about fathering. The book contrasts society's denigration of the traditional father with the glorification of the new "like mom" father, pointing out the shortcomings of this redefinition. The book then examines characteristics of five "almost fathers" and the debilitating effects of these roles. Finally, the book explores the ideal of the Good Family Man and outlines a plan for rediscovering the goal of "a father for every child." The book is divided into 12 chapters as follows: (1) "The Diminishment of American Fatherhood"; (2) "Fatherless Society"; (3) "The Lost Idea"; (4) "The Unnecessary Father"; (5) "The Old Father"; (6) "The New Father"; (7) "The Deadbeat Dad"; (8) "The Visiting Father"; (9) "The Sperm Father"; (10) "The Stepfather and the Nearby Guy"; (11) "The Good Family Man"; and (12) "A Father for Every Child." (BGC)