Letter: Father should decide what’s best for Elian

Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000 | 9:13 a.m.

On the other hand, there are many children in the United States who are subject to abuse and neglect, particularly among the 20-25 million American children growing up without their fathers, according to the January-February issue of the Liberator, a newsletter on gender issues that defends fathers' rights.

If he stays in America without his father, he is subject to the documented risk factors associated with growing up without a father. Elian would be five times more likely to commit suicide; 32 times more likely to run away from home; 20 times more likely to have behavioral disorders; 14 times more likely to commit rape; nine times more likely to drop out of school; 10 times more likely to abuse drugs; nine times more likely to end up in a state institution; and 20 times more likely to end up in prison.

The most seriously neglected children are those who grow up without their fathers, as the exiles are proposing that Elian should do. I don't think that the relative chances of going to Harvard should have any bearing on whether he should be reunited with his father.

The law is clear in this case: Elian should be returned to his father. Moreover, his father should be the judge of where it would be best to raise Elian. It is clear to me that returning Elian to Cuba is in his best interest.

That is not a decision for us to make. It is a decision that only his father should make.

FRANK M. PELTESON