Men at the Economic Margins dear members This Connection completes NETW RK this year’s looks at the needs Injustice anywhere A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby of different segments of our NETWORK—a Catholic leader society—children, women, is a threat to justice in the global movement for justice and peace—edu- and now men. As we have everywhere. cates, organizes and lobbies done this, I have been struck for economic by the fact that our natural and social transformation. inclination at NETWORK Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. NETWORK Board of Directors Regina Ann Brummel, CSJ is to focus on women and Kevin M. Callahan children. It is women who Tom Cordaro Ouisa Davis are paid less than men for Contents Patricia Mullahy Fugere the same work. It is women Delia Gomez envisioning Lorena G. Gonzalez who are principally respon- Mary Beth Hamm, SSJ sible for child rearing. And 3 Everyday Struggles of Men Thomas Kelly more single women and Our focus on the needs of women and children Donna Marie Korba, IHM doesn’t mean that we ignore the struggles of Patricia Mejia children live in poverty than Ann Scholz, SSND many men. any other family structure. Sandra Thibodeaux, MMB We wanted to focus this cover story NETWORK Education Program Board of Directors issue on men because they, 4 Beyond Stereotypes of Dierdre Griffin too, are a critical part of the “Deadbeat Dads” in Diane Guerin, RSM Barbara Lange economic struggle to make Low-income Communities Dean Manternach ends meet. The new census An important study by two Harvard Anna Sandidge Jerry Zurek data out in September made researchers. NETWORK/NEP Staff crystal clear that all parts of focus on the hill Managing Editor, Communications/Media our society are struggling 8 Coordinator—Stephanie Niedringhaus Fall in Congress: Annual Giving Coordinator—Maggie Brevig with poverty. So we are The Season for Showdowns Education Associate—Katie Miller focusing on the challenges Action needed on many critical issues. So what Education Program Manager—Shannon faced by men in our nation is Congress doing? Hughes and our world. Executive Assistant—LaTreviette Matthews toward a global community Executive Director—Simone Campbell, SSS As we do this, I have to Fellows—Carolyn Burstein (Communications); 10 From the Unthinkable to say thank you to you and all Nancy Groth (Management); Nancy Thinkable and Possible McKenzie (Development); Joan Neal of our NETWORK members A courageous woman in Pakistan steers boys (Lobby) and supporters. Because of away from extremism and suicide bombing. Field & Lobby Assistant—Ashley Wilson Field Associate—Claire Markham your support and advocacy Field Organizing Manager—Shantha Ready highlighting people we continue to have unprec- Alonso edented opportunities on 12 Finding Room for Men Lobby Associate—James Luisi in the Safety Net Lobbyist—Marge Clark, BVM Capitol Hill. We are being Managing Director—Paul Marchione Groups are beginning to look more closely at Membership Assistant—Megan Dominy sought after for our opinions how we can do a better job of helping men who Technology Coordinator—Joy Wigwe and influence on the issues struggle at the economic margins. of poverty, struggling fami- Articles in NETWORK Connection may be re- spread the word printed. Please include the following on the re- lies and immigration. This is prints: “Reprinted by permission of NETWORK, making a difference. 13 Fiscal Responsibility: Tax a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, 25 E Justice for the Common Good Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20001, I hope that our ongoing www.networklobby.org.” Please send us a partnership of advocacy in Building toward tax justice can do a lot for the copy of the reprinted article. common good. Photocopy this information for Fourth Quarter 2013—Vol. 41, No. 4 DC and your advocacy at use in your communities! NETWORK Connection home can continue to stir ISSN 0199-5723 the political system so that making a difference Published quarterly by 15 “Reasonable Revenue for NETWORK people are able to live in PHONE: 202-347-9797 FAX: 202-347-9864 peace, raise their families, Responsible Programs” E-MAIL: [email protected] How to better understand the connections WEBSITE: www.networklobby.org and contribute to the com- between taxes and economic justice. POSTMASTER: mon good. It is a big goal, SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: NETWORK • 25 E Street NW, Suite 200 but one that is grounded Washington, DC 20001 in faith and well worth the Stay connected with us! Annual dues: $50/$60 international. effort. www.facebook.com/NetworkLobby Copyright © 2013 NETWORK. Cover photo: FND Photography http://twitter.com/#!/networklobby 2 Connection Fourth Quarter 2013 www.networklobby.org envisioning Everyday Struggles of Men BY SISTER SIMONE CAMPBELL, SSS As I have traveled the country, I have that under the circumstances this was the bottom 20% of income in the United Amet so many people with important the best they could do. States. He was stunned, and his reaction stories to tell. I want to share some of In Trenton, I met a young college stu- to my talk was unexpected. He said that those stories with you. Often, I think dent who told me he had always thought he now understood how his dad had of women in poverty and struggling as that his family was middle class. Then, protected him and his sister from the single parents. This issue of Connec- in the workshop I was giving, he dis- worry his parents must have felt. His tion, however, focuses on the struggle covered that his family was actually in parents made sure that both he and his of low-income men in our society. With sister attended college. He had tears in 50% of the jobs in the United States his eyes as he realized what their strug- paying less than $36,000 a year, it is gle must have been. He said that he had obvious that many men are working in to call them to say thank you. jobs that pay poverty wages. And often On the Bus this year, I was able to they are unseen. meet Representatives Pete Gallego and In 2010, NETWORK completed a Joaquin Castro in San Antonio. Both follow-up study to our earlier welfare men are new to Congress. I heard them reports. This new report was called each speak in their own way about the “TANF Tested: Lives of Families in Pov- challenging adjustment to DC life and erty during the Recession.” During the politics. They are striving to represent study, one of the researchers reported their districts and be advocates for the that men at soup kitchens and food people who struggle at the margins of banks were reluctant to talk to them our society. They are dealing with being while women were eager to share their new and in the minority party. They are stories. We interpreted that reluctance to still trying to find their way, but each is indicate that the men felt some shame committed to making a difference for for using these supportive services. It their constituents and for our nation. is a tremendous struggle in our cur- Their visions include making room for rent economy for many men to meet everyone who lives here. This makes the societal expectation that they be the comprehensive immigration reform a principal providers. The reality is that top priority for them. But it also makes many continue to valiantly struggle to them frustrated at the gridlock in Con- feed their families. gress and unsure how to make the In St. Louis, for example, I met Mike biggest impact. They left me with the when he drove me to a television studio. feeling that it is quite like trying to care I asked him about his life, and he said for a family, but feeling challenged and that he and his wife had three (almost unsure about how to proceed. four) children. They had thought that All of these men model for me that if she went back to school they would struggle to be faithful in our society. have a better income for their family. These day-in, day-out efforts are at the They decided that she should enroll in a heart of forming a more perfect union. for-profit educational facility and learn The struggles of Mike in St. Louis, the to be a medical technologist. She did young man in Trenton, the representa- well and completed the course. How- tives in DC, and millions of others help ever, once she graduated the best job build our families and nation. We can’t she could find paid $10.25 an hour— afford to take their efforts for granted. not even enough to make the payments Each of us should value their fidelity on the $25,000 loan they took out to and care for family and country. By their pay for her education. Mike had to take commitments they are building a more a second job driving limos to pay the faithful world for the 100%, and this is bills, so he was missing evening time good news indeed. with his family. He was especially wor- ried about not being home after the Simone Campbell, SSS, is NETWORK’s birth of their new baby. But he knew Executive Director. www.networklobby.org Fourth Quarter 2013 Connection 3 Beyond Stereotypes of “Deadbeat Dads” in Low-income Communities BY KATHRYN EDIN AND TIMOTHY J. NELSON (FROM DOING THE BEST I CAN: FATHERHOOD IN THE INNER CITY) For decades, legislators across the political spectrum and many time.” (pp. 44-45) Many fathers try to create strong father- in the media have promoted caricatures of low-income unmar- child bonds even when their relationships with the mothers ried fathers, often described as “deadbeat dads.” Harvard Pro- falter.