Obama holds town hall meeting on fatherhood

President Obama held a first town hall meeting devoted to fatherhood in time for Father's Day. The president wants to emphasis the importance of fathers in the world today.

During a town hall meeting President Obama spoke on the importance of fathers in the family. He stressed that fathers can make a difference in the lives of children in America. He said that despite that having a wonderful mother and grandparents not having his father in his life left a hole in his heart. Small moments can make a difference in a child's life. Obama remembered that his first jazz concert and his first basketball came from his father even though he wasn't a large part of his life. Obama said those are still two of his great passions in life. Larry Holmes, a student, asked what was more fun being a father or a president. President Obama said that there was nothing more fun than being a father. He joked that of course they aren't teenagers yet. He recalled basking in the glory of teachers praising his daughters at a teachers conference. He then said that it's more important to spend time with his girls instead of watching sports center. In the US 23 percent of children grow up without fathers. Obama praised the programs that build up young adults to be better parents. "Kids won't judge you based on your wealth. They will judge if you are abusive to their mother or not showing up. Kids will understand that at times are hard." Joe Biden told that the audience that fathers need to provide unconditional love. "Be careful how you treat your children, you may need them one day." Biden spoke on the love that he has for his children. He thanked the president for holding the town hall meeting. President Obama admits that if the girls were older he may not have run for president. He said the hardest part of the campaign was being away from his girls. Had the family not had a wonderful support structure the Obama's would not have taken the step. One question posed was how do we lift up the kids who don't do wrong and focus on them instead of those who are failing. Obama agreed that these children are in need of being lifted up. Someone who puts a hand on their shoulder will be the ones that the young person will go with. It could be a positive role member or a gang banger. The kids need the positive reinforcement and will go to those who lift them up. A student asked how he felt when he became a father. Maia was born on the 4th of July. Michelle woke him up in the middle of the night. He admits that everything went smoothly. He recalled driving his daughter home very slowly. The first night, he checked on her every five minutes. He knew that in the moment that he would do anything for that child. That bond between parent and child is a true blessing. The one thing that he will remember when he is old and gray is those moments. "This isn't an obligation, it's a privilege to be a father." The president also let it be known that there will be future town meetings on this subject.