Olga Silverstein and Beth Rashbaum

The importance of fathers in serving as role models for their sons is overemphasized, argue Olga Silverstein and Beth Rashbaum in the following viewpoint. The authors contend that while having a father in the home can be beneficial, it is inaccurate to claim that boys will fail to become masculinized if no male role model is present. According to Silverstein and Rashbaum, mothers are capable of teaching the qualities that their sons need to mature. Silverstein is a member of the emeritus faculty at the Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy in New York City, while Rashbaum is a freelance book editor and writer.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the authors, what is the worst thing about female-headed households?
2. In the authors’ view, what are some examples...