Author: S. Newman Spenzer
Publication Date: June 12, 2012
Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Deshawn Margray’s world is thrown into turmoil when he is named the defendant in a paternity suit following a reckless sexual encounter with a woman he barely knows. He is desperate to conceal his plight from his mother, a single parent with dreams for her son who is struggling to support them both. Torn between fleeing and facing the nightmarish legal process alone, Deshawn tries to navigate his way through a hostile and incomprehensible court system. Crushed by a callous judiciary and a devastating personal loss, Deshawn is finally driven to his breaking point, and a physical confrontation with an insufferable child support collection worker ensues. The altercation serendipitously leads him to an unexpected discovery that permanently alters his life.
~My Thoughts~
Baby Daddy is the story of seventeen-year-old Deshawn Margray. Born to a teenage mother, he is now a senior in high school and his mother's pride and joy. He has a part time job and helps his mother with the bills. Even so, Deshawn is not at all a perfect child. He drinks, smokes marijuana and has unprotected sex. This lifestyle eventually comes back to haunt him when he is summoned to court for child support payments. Deshawn can barely remember the night he met the child's mother, and only remembers her name.
Wanting to keep this paternity suit a secret from his mother for as long as possible, Deshawn takes it upon himself to navigate his way through the court system alone. Only this is much harder than he thought it would be. The court is exceptionally harsh on the men involved in these suits and no matter what he does or how hard he tries, no one will help him. He doesn't even know his own child's name. Deshawn does his best to keep a level head when dealing with the court workers, but it ultimately proves to difficult. Deshawn can only hold in his anger for so long, and one last push is going to send him over the edge.
Baby Daddy is an incredible read. It is extremely rare to come across this type of story told from the male's point of view. Most often we hear from the teenage mother who is left to support her child after the father denies paternity or simply just doesn't care. I'll admit that when I read these stories I often side with the mother and think that the father is a loser. But what I have never stopped to think about is the possibility that maybe there is another reason why that father isn't there. Perhaps he is going through a struggle of his own and nobody knows.
Deshawn Margray was an exceptional character. I'll admit that his lifestyle is not one that I would choose, but even so he is a likable boy. He loves his mother and helps her with the bills even though she doesn't ask. He doesn't complain when she brings him home used clothing left at the laundromat where she works. He appreciates her and all that she has sacrificed for him. So when he is suddenly thrown into this court battle, I could understand why he would not want his mother to know right away. He knows he is responsible and doesn't want his mother to be ashamed of him for making the same mistakes she made.
As Deshawn battles with the court, he is struggling emotionally as well. He is angry, confused and no one will give him the benefit of the doubt. Through all of this though, he is growing. He is learning to take responsibility for his actions and what his actions do to others. Deshawn's personal growth from where he started to where this story ends is admirable. He takes away far more from this experience than I think most teens would.
Besides Deshawn's personal story, there is a lot to be taken away from Baby Daddy. We are given a rather shocking glimpse into the welfare system and what it means to be on the other end of it. We know how it works for the parents receiving benefits, but what I really took away from this story is how much involvement the fathers have too when it comes to single parenting. What surprised me most was that even though Deshawn was making child support payments, he was still not allowed to see his daughter. In fact, the courts wouldn't even tell him her name or where she lived. In order to see her, he would have to go to family court and put in a petition which would have cost him even more money that he didn't have. This really made me think about all those "dead beat dads" out there that have nothing to do with their children. How many of them are going through this very issue? Perhaps there are many people out there that are desperate to see their children but are unable to due to ridiculous court procedures.
Overall, Baby Daddy was an emotionally charged, remarkable read. It will leave you with many questions regarding our court system and how we can improve it for not only those mothers left to struggle alone, but also for the fathers who are trying to do what is right but are ultimately shunned and left to fend for themselves. Deshawn's story is very real and will have you turning the pages as fast as you can, desperate to see if things will work out for him.
Wanting to keep this paternity suit a secret from his mother for as long as possible, Deshawn takes it upon himself to navigate his way through the court system alone. Only this is much harder than he thought it would be. The court is exceptionally harsh on the men involved in these suits and no matter what he does or how hard he tries, no one will help him. He doesn't even know his own child's name. Deshawn does his best to keep a level head when dealing with the court workers, but it ultimately proves to difficult. Deshawn can only hold in his anger for so long, and one last push is going to send him over the edge.
Baby Daddy is an incredible read. It is extremely rare to come across this type of story told from the male's point of view. Most often we hear from the teenage mother who is left to support her child after the father denies paternity or simply just doesn't care. I'll admit that when I read these stories I often side with the mother and think that the father is a loser. But what I have never stopped to think about is the possibility that maybe there is another reason why that father isn't there. Perhaps he is going through a struggle of his own and nobody knows.
Deshawn Margray was an exceptional character. I'll admit that his lifestyle is not one that I would choose, but even so he is a likable boy. He loves his mother and helps her with the bills even though she doesn't ask. He doesn't complain when she brings him home used clothing left at the laundromat where she works. He appreciates her and all that she has sacrificed for him. So when he is suddenly thrown into this court battle, I could understand why he would not want his mother to know right away. He knows he is responsible and doesn't want his mother to be ashamed of him for making the same mistakes she made.
As Deshawn battles with the court, he is struggling emotionally as well. He is angry, confused and no one will give him the benefit of the doubt. Through all of this though, he is growing. He is learning to take responsibility for his actions and what his actions do to others. Deshawn's personal growth from where he started to where this story ends is admirable. He takes away far more from this experience than I think most teens would.
Besides Deshawn's personal story, there is a lot to be taken away from Baby Daddy. We are given a rather shocking glimpse into the welfare system and what it means to be on the other end of it. We know how it works for the parents receiving benefits, but what I really took away from this story is how much involvement the fathers have too when it comes to single parenting. What surprised me most was that even though Deshawn was making child support payments, he was still not allowed to see his daughter. In fact, the courts wouldn't even tell him her name or where she lived. In order to see her, he would have to go to family court and put in a petition which would have cost him even more money that he didn't have. This really made me think about all those "dead beat dads" out there that have nothing to do with their children. How many of them are going through this very issue? Perhaps there are many people out there that are desperate to see their children but are unable to due to ridiculous court procedures.
Overall, Baby Daddy was an emotionally charged, remarkable read. It will leave you with many questions regarding our court system and how we can improve it for not only those mothers left to struggle alone, but also for the fathers who are trying to do what is right but are ultimately shunned and left to fend for themselves. Deshawn's story is very real and will have you turning the pages as fast as you can, desperate to see if things will work out for him.
~Interview~
CAN YOU PLEASE TELL
Baby Daddy is the story of a fatherless teen grappling with the notion of parenthood. Deshawn Margray is battling what could best be described as “system bullying”. He has to appear multiple times in Court, where he doesn’t understand the process or the jargon. Equally as daunting, he has to answer to a harsh child support collection agency populated with caseworkers who have a general disdain for the public they must serve. The combination is more than most adults could endure, and Deshawn must face the challenges with the limited life skills of a teenager.
I am married, and have two adult children: my daughter is an Education Interventionist working with autistic children, and my son is a student at Miami University of Ohio.
I have worked as a child support Magistrate in a county court system since 2002. I have a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University and a Juris Doctor from the
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR THIS BOOK?
My day job was the genesis for the book. Baby Daddy is a story that has begged for a voice for too long. The news is replete with stories of deadbeat dads, but aside from some lighthearted movies about stay-at-home dads, the disenfranchised father has been soundly ignored. As this was an opportunity to delve into unexplored territory, I thought I might offer a new insight to the reading public.
WHAT KIND OF RESEARCH DID YOU DO FOR THIS BOOK? DID YOU MEET WITH ANY SINGLE FATHERS WHO HAVE BEEN IN DESHAWN'S POSITION?
My “research” consisted of nearly daily contact with a multitude of Deshawns for over ten years. Once I began to truly listen, they educated me. I started hearing more than just their words – I heard pain, and hopelessness, and fear. I realized that unless their voices were heard, this population had no future to embrace.
DESHAWN'S STORY BRINGS TO LIGHT QUITE AN INJUSTICE WHEN IT COMES TO UNWED PARENTS AND THE WELFARE SYSTEM. WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX IT?
Any “fix” in the system will have to come from our youth. If they understand that the problem exists, they can begin to explore means for correction. Perhaps if Baby Daddy were to be a summer reading selection for college orientation welcome week activities, our future leaders would enter their careers with a heightened awareness of the problem and a desire to problem-solve the issues.
DOES THE IDEA YOU START WITH AS INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WRITING EVER TURN INTO SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY WHEN YOU ARE DONE?
The inspiration and the central theme never changed in Baby Daddy, but the side stories emerged quite surprisingly and unexpectedly. After one particularly sound critique of my draft, multiple “why” questions were posed as far as my characters’ actions. As I re-wrote and responded to those “why’s”, the story took on added dimensions that surprised and fascinated me. I believe that bits and pieces from my own life began filtering into Deshawn’s life, and I was actually startled to see them on paper.
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE WRITING CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED? WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE ON THE ROAD TO PUBLICATION?
I plunged fearlessly into the actual writing process. However, I was persistently challenged by the nagging question, “So what do I do with this when it’s finished?” I had to keep writing in spite of the nagging!
As far as publication, I am severely technologically challenged. I followed the sage advice that if you want something done that involves technology, ask a teenager. I did – and he came through! (Thank you, Daniel. You remain my hero.)
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
I am developing the story line for a sequel to Baby Daddy. I am also planning to write another novel that features some very unconventional characters.
IF YOU COULD WRITE A BOOK FROM ANOTHER AUTHOR’S SERIES, WHICH WOULD IT BE?
While it wasn’t truly a “series”, I would love to be a part of Mitch Albom's several books that question and explore the journey through life’s end and after.
WHAT WAS THE BOOK THAT MOST IMPACTED YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
For odd reasons, it was Gone With The Wind. I first read the book when I was a self-absorbed teenager. I was simultaneously repulsed and invigorated by Scarlett O’Hara. The self-absorbed character actually evolved into a feisty, indomitable woman in the face of horrific circumstances. The book made me reconsider my own life focus.
Thank you again to S. Newman Spenzer for stopping by the blog today and for the opportunity to read and review Baby Daddy. This is an incredible story not to be missed!
{Purchase}
台灣UT視訊聊天下載免費交友網站有哪些色狗午夜聊天室手機電影網站你懂的韓國視訊女郎
ReplyDelete夫妻性生活視頻曝光免費交友網站一夜sm語音聊天室在線日本色情電影韓國視訊網怎麼找
同城—夜情交友一夜情免費交友美女裸聊qq台灣麗人視頻聊天室在線色情網導航g4vmp4 視訊
免費同城約炮網隨聊視頻聊天室免費裸聊qq號碼成人手機電影下載網站倫理成人電影85男人幫
六間房大秀視頻視頻聊好聊天室女視頻聊東京熱色情成人網亞洲人體色圖85男人幫論壇首頁
台灣免費聊天室美女視頻六間房視頻群聊免費裸聊qq號碼 美女偷拍自拍咪咪網85男人幫論壇
台灣聊天室網站六間房視頻人人開放激情聊天室色聊視頻聊天網色情電影下載網站隨機視訊
六間房聊天室開放一點視頻聊天室三色網美女裸聊東京熱成人色情電影網azar隨機視訊
做愛裸聊室六間房視頻直播MFC的美女主播台灣甜心女孩聊天室東京熱色情網亂倫隨機視訊app
六間房美女視頻直播MFC的視頻網站台灣甜心女孩視訊聊天室日本SM電影集錦隨機視訊聊天