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Daddy doesn't live here anymore: How absentee fathers are affecting our kids
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Daddy doesn't live here anymore, and the statistics reflecting the negative effect of this arrangement are alarming. Relationships expert, Rosalind Sedacca shares the consequences of this current trend in the rise of absentee fathers. - photo by Rosalind Sedacca
Most of the parents who read my newsletter are strong advocates of Child-Centered Divorce. That means they put the emotional and psychological needs of their children first when making any decisions regarding divorce and parenting. This puts both mothers and fathers on the same side when it comes to their children as guardians, protectors and parents not adversaries.

Sadly, not all parents divorce with a focus on compatibility in parenting following the divorce. The stories, like your own, vary widely, but the outcomes are painful for everyone in the family.

Statistics regarding the number of children who are experiencing the consequences of divorce, living life without access to their biological fathers or having infrequent interactions with their fathers are alarming. Im sharing some of them below not to point fingers, judge or blame. Instead, I want to bring heightened awareness about this to families around the world encouraging parents to do everything possible to avoid falling into this sad reality.

Surveys show concern about this growing problem. According to stats found in an article at www.dads-daughters.com, 72.2 % of the U.S. population believes absentee fathers to be the most significant social problem facing America. Thats easy to understand when you look behind the numbers and think about the families that have been impacted.

1. An estimated 24.7 million children (36.3%) live absent from their biological father.

2. There are almost 17 million children (25%) living with their single mothers.

3. Today nearly 4 out of 10 first marriages end in divorce, 60% of divorcing couples have children, and over one million children each year experience the divorce of their parents.

4. One out of every six children is a stepchild.

5. 26% of absentee fathers live in a different state than their children.

6. About 40% of the children who live in absentee father households havent seen their fathers in at least a year while 50% of children who dont live with their fathers have never stepped foot in their fathers home.

7. Children who live absent from their biological fathers, on average, are more likely to be poor. . . experience educational, health, emotional and psychological problems . . . be victims of child abuse . . . and engage in criminal behavior than their peers who live with their married, biological mother and father.

8. 57.7 percent of all black children, 31.8 percent of all Hispanic children, and 20.9 percent of all white children are living in single-parent homes.

Of course, theres a big difference between fathering a child and being a father. Children need the influence of a loving, protective and responsible father in their lives. But if that father isnt stepping up to his position, he may be doing more damage than by being absent.

That brings us back to the advantages of maintaining a child-centered divorce. The more we can encourage Mom and Dad to co-parent with care and compassion following a divorce, the better the outcome for everyone in the family. I know this isnt a simple challenge. Not everyone has the maturity and emotional stability to step up to the plate, put differences aside, and parent your children together because you love them unconditionally. But if you can and do more power to you. You wont regret it!
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.