Mothers - especially single mothers - are heroic in their

The words of Evan Bayh ring with solemn truth and urgent call: “Mothers—especially single mothers—are heroic in their efforts to raise our nation's children, but men must also take responsibility for their children and recognize the impact they have on their families' well-being.” In these lines, he gives honor to the heroism of mothers, while at the same time laying bare the unfinished work of fathers. For too long, the weight of raising children has rested disproportionately on women’s shoulders, and though they carry it with strength and endurance, justice demands that men rise to their rightful place, as protectors, nurturers, and guides.

The ancients spoke often of the mother as the first temple of life, the one who carries and nourishes the child with her body and her love. Yet they also spoke of the father as the guardian of the household, the pillar of strength and wisdom. To separate these roles, or to abandon them, was seen as a breaking of harmony. Bayh’s words revive this ancient wisdom: that families thrive when both parents take up their sacred duties, not one alone bearing the full weight while the other remains absent or detached.

History bears witness to this truth. Consider the story of Sojourner Truth, who, after escaping slavery, fought to recover her son who had been illegally sold. Her struggle was not only as a mother but also as a warrior for justice, proving that a parent’s responsibility knows no bounds. Yet her pain also highlights the absence of men who failed to protect, failed to rise, and failed to carry their part. Her story reveals what Bayh declares: mothers are heroic, but their heroism should not be demanded because of the absence of fathers—it should be matched by the equal courage and devotion of men.

Bayh’s words also speak against complacency. In modern times, fathers are too often excused for doing less, praised for minimal involvement, while mothers are judged no matter how much they give. This imbalance corrodes the well-being of families, leaving children longing for presence and guidance that is their birthright. To “recognize the impact” means fathers must awaken to the truth that every word, every gesture, every moment of absence or presence carves deep into the hearts of their children. The mark of a father is never neutral—it is either a source of strength or a wound that lingers.

The wisdom here is not only about fairness but about the flourishing of society. For children raised without balanced love often carry scars into adulthood, repeating cycles of abandonment or struggle. Nations that neglect fathers’ responsibilities weaken their own foundations, for the well-being of families is the seedbed of the well-being of nations. When Bayh speaks, he calls not only to individuals but to all society: if we honor mothers, we must also hold fathers accountable to the greatness of their calling.

The lesson is clear: let us continue to honor the heroic mothers, especially those who labor alone, but let us also call fathers back to their rightful place—not as distant providers, but as present, loving, guiding forces. A child needs the wisdom of a father’s presence as much as the comfort of a mother’s embrace. The balance of both is the harmony for which families were created.

Practically, this means men must reject the excuse of absence. They must make time for their children, not only through provision but through presence—reading, listening, teaching, and modeling virtue. It means society must uplift fathers not by lowering the bar, but by raising expectations, reminding them that their role is irreplaceable. And it means that every man must recognize that the way he loves his family is one of the greatest legacies he will ever leave.

Thus, Evan Bayh’s words endure as both tribute and command: “Mothers are heroic... but men must also take responsibility.” Let us honor the tireless courage of women, but let us not allow their heroism to excuse the absence of men. Let fathers rise, shoulder to shoulder with mothers, so that children may grow in the fullness of love, and families may stand strong as the foundation of a just and enduring world.