Why Dads Leave: Insights and Resources for When Partners Become Parents

Description

At last someone has come up with the courage to tackle one of the most insidious epidemics in modern life. When men leave their families, physically or emotionally, society feels the destructive ripples for generations to come. Callander and Travis do not claim to have all the answers to this complex problem but they begin a dialogue and offer unique insights that must be heard. We have swept this one under the carpet too long.
—Dean Edell, MD, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Healthiness

When John W. Travis, MD, lauded as one of the founding fathers of the wellness movement, became a parent, he was shocked to discover how unprepared he was for coping with the emotional challenges of parenthood. Now, his wife and colleague, Meryn Callander, shares the story of their confident plunge into parenthood and the subsequent unraveling of that confidence, as they discovered themselves floundering, exhausted, and struggling to deal with the challenges confronting them.

Why Dads Leave reveals the cultural and generational forces that are colluding to create an unacknowledged epidemic of disappearing dads—fathers leaving their families, physically or emotionally, soon after the birth of a child. Nearly twenty years in the making, this book provides insights and practical ways of preventing and healing the insidious and devastating impact of this dynamic.

Beautifully written, compassionate, and unflinchingly honest, Why Dads Leave offers understanding and hope for men—and the women who love them.

Why Men Leave speaks to the heart of what it means to nurture society and community at its most basic roots—mothers and fathers. A very important book.
—Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Women s Bodies, Women s Wisdom

Most songs are about getting your man. This book is about keeping your man—especially after a child comes along.
—Naomi Judd, Emmy Award–winning singer/songwriter and author of Naomi s Breakthrough Guide: 20 Choices to Transform Your Life

An amazing book on a truly important topic.
—John Robbins, author of The Food Revolution

To say that this book could change human history is not an overstatement. In fact, were it heeded, this book could change our species itself—and definitely for the better.
—Joseph Chilton Pearce, author of Magical Child and Crack in the Cosmic Egg

A book few, if any of us men,… can afford to miss. I am one of those written about, so I know what my journey has cost me, as well as given to me, and what it has cost the family I left.
—Fred Alan Wolf, PhD, author of Taking the Quantum Leap and featured in What the Bleep Do We Know?

Fathers are more than sperm donors. Father-absence is a huge waste of human energy, caring, and love. Evidence suggests that the more love kids receive, the more likely they are to grow up bigger, stronger, and smarter. It’s time we faced the inconvenient truth that fathers are a crucial part of the parenting equation, as Callander so compellingly shows.
—Larry Dossey, MD, author of Healing Words

In my forty years as a marriage and family therapist, and working with over 2500 student, my experience resonates with this work. It offers hope and a possibility for sustaining healthy families. The pursuit of wellness begins with the conception of a child, lasts a lifetime, and thrives in a supportive community.
—Elaine Sullivan, Board of Directors, National Wellness Institute

Meryn and Jack have shared their journey in order to make our futures better. They not only lived through this common challenge, but named it, investigated it, and learned from it. This book will forever change families who embrace this knowledge.
—Barbara A. Hotelling, past president, Lamaze International and Doulas of North America