According to Ben Collins in Esquire magazine, fatherhood laws aren't very strong in America. For American dads to be the best dads, there needs to be laws allowing men to take paid paternity leave.

Other countries are doing it, he says; Iceland, Germany, and Norway. Also, British law ensures coverage of partial pay for up to 26 weeks, though most men in the UK only take two. But in America, only about 10% take paternity leave even though men are allowed 12 weeks -- but it's not guaranteed pay.

That's where Collins's beef lies:

There should be more effective policies in the U.S. for allowing dads time off, right from the start.

"Dads need to be more involved, and there’s no better way to assure involvement than to set a precedent early," Collins adds. And apparently the best way to make dads more involved is through government intervention. (Sounds like Collins watched the president's Weekly Address.)

It is good that Collins is pointing out the importance of a present father. Dead-beat dads have created many of society's ills and it can't be said enough -- a good father is essential to a family.

But perhaps he fails in thinking the conduit should flow from the mighty hand of government.