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[slac_vap]

Did anyone else see this story on the Today Show this morning?  A 23-year-old man adopted his twin sister's children after Children's Services removed the them from his sister (who is battling drug addiction).  Despite meeting resistance from social workers who doubted the competence of a young man to take on the task, he completed parenting classes and proved he could be a good parent to the kids.  He now is a single father of three young boys, including one son with a spinal degenerative disorder.  Hurray for him!  What a great story to show the good in some people. 

http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=ffbc9e1a-f71c-48d6-b9c4-1b964c8bc83c&f=00&fg=

[teeban]

I saw this as well and I was so thoroughly impressed by him. He presented as far older than 23, and his interactions with the kids seemed so genuine. "Because you are little monsters!"

[thedunvegan]

This is one young man who clearly has his priorities in order and has a moral compass that is guiding him in the right direction.

[trabb]

This is one young man who clearly has his priorities in order and has a moral compass that is guiding him in the right direction.

And who, should he return to college, undoubtedly will run into a composition teacher (me, perhaps - hope not) who tells him to get his priorities in order when he turns a paper in a day or so late.

[brunhilde]

I saw the promo for this story but not the actual story. It does seem like he is a great guy, but I couldn't help wondering if the situation was reversed (a sister adopted the children her brother was not able to take of) it would have made national news.

[thedunvegan]

This is one young man who clearly has his priorities in order and has a moral compass that is guiding him in the right direction.

And who, should he return to college, undoubtedly will run into a composition teacher (me, perhaps - hope not) who tells him to get his priorities in order when he turns a paper in a day or so late.

Perhaps, perhaps. Although his life with young children has a way of teaching some pretty good time-management skills.

[moonmoon]

What a great story What a great man.

[slac_vap]

I saw the promo for this story but not the actual story. It does seem like he is a great guy, but I couldn't help wondering if the situation was reversed (a sister adopted the children her brother was not able to take of) it would have made national news.

Maybe, but to be fair, that is in part because so many people unfairly assume that women will be giving and make sacrifices to be great parents, but assume that men are too selfish to be parents.  Besides that, it's probably unlikely that a 23-year-old sister would have been deemed too immature to take on the role, or required to take parenting classes, or be called "another one of my kids" by the social worker.

[cc_alan]

This is one young man who clearly has his priorities in order and has a moral compass that is guiding him in the right direction.

And who, should he return to college, undoubtedly will run into a composition teacher (me, perhaps - hope not) who tells him to get his priorities in order when he turns a paper in a day or so late.

Nope.

This young man will return to college and when family life intrudes upon his school work, he will accept that he can't do everything equally well and will take the late points.

He may not graduate with a 4.0; but, he will be admired by all his professors who will beg him for the privilege to write a letter of rec. when he applies for a new job.

After he is accepted, he will be admired for his dedication to both his family and his work which will result in other people attempting to emulate his values.

His children will grow up and pass on these values to their families and friends.

I predict that in 100 years that the people of Earth will be at peace with each other which will free up an incredible amount of resources which will be directed to feeding everyone and solving many of our societal issues.

All because of one person. Who could have guessed?

Alan

[brunhilde]

I saw the promo for this story but not the actual story. It does seem like he is a great guy, but I couldn't help wondering if the situation was reversed (a sister adopted the children her brother was not able to take of) it would have made national news.

Maybe, but to be fair, that is in part because so many people unfairly assume that women will be giving and make sacrifices to be great parents, but assume that men are too selfish to be parents.  Besides that, it's probably unlikely that a 23-year-old sister would have been deemed too immature to take on the role, or required to take parenting classes, or be called "another one of my kids" by the social worker.

I know. My comment was more about the culture that makes this newsworthy because it assumes men are too selfish to be parents or that women should be making those sacrifices. This guy did do a good thing.