Rock Star, Scott Stapp, receives Fatherhood honor

PR Web June 23, 2000

Women For Fatherhood, a volunteer organization dedicated to Equality for All Parents and All Children, will be opening their online Fatherhood Hall of Fame this month. “It is our wish to bring the name of Fathers back into a positive light. We believe that instead of condemning fathers, we should empower them to live up to the awesome potential that has been bestowed upon them. Honoring positive role models is a good start” the group’s President, Kasey Blake said. Women For Fatherhood, PO BOX 604394, Bayside, NY 11360-4394. www.women4fatherhood.org

"Scott doesn't live up to the stereotype that most lead rock singers evoke," said Scott's friend and Women for Fatherhood member Cindy McNeely, who nominated Scott for the Fatherhood Hall of Fame award. In nominating Scott, Cindy wrote that he has "earned a reputation for baring his heart and his soul in his lyrics, and the truth is that this talented young man lives his day-to-day life in much the same way. As Scott would be quick to admit, a large part of what keeps him rooted to reality, although he lives a fairy-tale life, is his twenty-month-old son, Jagger. There is no doubt that Jagger comes first in Scott's life. Undoubtedly, Scott has employed genuineness and compassion, guidance and unconditional loyalty, in his role as Jagger's father. Although he would probably feel uncomfortable being heralded as such due to his natural sense of humility, he stands as a true role model for all fathers. He is not ashamed to tell anyone how much he loves and is proud of Jagger, and how happy he is to be a father."

Cindy also noted that the release of the song, "With Arms Wide Open," which Scott wrote upon learning that he was to become a father, appears to be making a positive impact on young men facing fatherhood. "Recently, while we were in Pennsylvania with Creed for one of their concerts and listening to a local radio station, we heard a young man call and request 'With Arms Wide Open,'" wrote Cindy. "The man stated that his wife was pregnant, and that friends had urged him to listen to the song because it so effectively communicated the joy, and awesome responsibility, of becoming a father. It was clear to me that 'With Arms Wide Open' was helping this young man focus on the importance of assuming an integral role as a father . So often, our culture tends to communicate quite the opposite to fathers, but the reality is that children need fathers just as much as mothers. 'With Arms Wide Open' is getting that message across to many young men and women who are experiencing parenthood, in a manner which many other media cannot achieve," wrote Cindy.

There is no doubt that Scott believes in and supports the rights of fathers to love, care for, and parent their children as much as anyone else. Therefore, Women for Fatherhood is proud to honor Scott Stapp as its first inductee into its Fatherhood Hall of Fame.