Don't Listen to the Gossip

By Won Kim

Even if you stay away from picking up the magazines at the grocery aisle or refuse to watch "Access Hollywood," there is no way to stay away from the gossip and the headlines that surrounds our world of celebrity voyeurism. And nothing seems to sell tabloids like scandals.  

Just in the past week, the papers (especially New York papers) have been riddled with snippets of information regarding Alex Rodriguez and his impending divorce with his wife of five years and two children. The reasons for divorce: his bachelor lifestyle and extramarital affairs, specifically involving a certain pop star that is also in the middle of a fallout in her marriage. Then there's the former swimsuit model Christie Brinkley, and her public divorce trial involving her husband, who had a few inappropriate encounters with a teenage girl. And that's just the first page.  

Come to think of it, this whole year has been full of one salacious story after another. If it wasn't Governor Spitzer and his call girl, then it was the admittance of adultery by Governor Paterson or another divorce highlight. In other words, it was a banner year for gossip magazines and celebrity-watching websites. Strangely, one thought kept bombarding my mind: what about the kids?  

What is sometimes overlooked amid all of this trashy gossip is the fact that there are real lives being profoundly impacted by the dumb decisions made by the parents. Of late, it seems like most of the news have been spotlighting the failure of the man to be exactly that, the man. Not only are these guys failing to be a man of their word to their marriage and families, but it's the failure of these men to protect their children that is most disturbing. Admittedly, it's always easier to disparage celebrities. 

We can easily chastise their dirty laundry because it's being displayed for all the world to see, but just because our lives are more privatized and less scrutinized doesn't mean there isn't any mud mixing in with our laundry. As men, and especially as fathers, we have to tread carefully.  

It doesn't matter if you're single or married, the fact that you're a daddy means that you are being watched ... carefully. How you treat others, the values by which you live by (not preach by) and the commitment you show to your family will be the measuring stick by which your life will be measured by your children. I write this because it seems like all I ever hear about is the lives of broken families and retreating fathers. Fortunately, I have a great hunch that the collection of dads on this site will write a much different story. 

(Photo credit: LA Times)