Ep 3. Fatherless Towns
- TV-PG
- October 21, 2015
- 42 min
-
7.3 (10)
Lisa Ling delves into the complex issue of fatherlessness in America in season 2, episode 3 of her show, This is Life. In the episode titled "Fatherless Towns," Ling travels to three different communities across the country to explore how growing up without a father impacts individuals and the overall fabric of society.
The first community Ling visits is in Tennessee, where she meets with a group of young men who have all experienced fatherlessness in some way. Through their candid and heart-wrenching stories, Ling discovers the various ways in which their fathers' absence has impacted their lives, from struggling with identity to perpetuating a cycle of absent fathers in their own families.
Next, Ling travels to a town in Kansas that has become known for its disproportionately high rate of fatherless households. She interviews a single mother who has been raising her son alone for years, while also dealing with poverty and limited access to resources. Ling also speaks with a social worker who has dedicated her career to helping families like hers and advocates for policy changes that could help break the cycle of fatherlessness.
In the final segment of the episode, Ling goes to a prison in Arizona to speak with incarcerated fathers who have missed out on their children's lives. Ling listens as they share their regrets, hopes, and the ways in which they try to stay connected with their families from behind bars.
Throughout the episode, Ling weaves together the personal stories of fatherlessness with broader societal trends and research, highlighting the long-term impacts of growing up without a father on an individual's well-being, education, and economic outcomes.
Overall, "Fatherless Towns" is a thought-provoking and emotional exploration of a complex issue that affects millions of children and families across America. Through the personal stories of those impacted by fatherlessness, Ling brings attention to the need for greater support and resources for families dealing with absent fathers.
