Still Loving Men: Are your standards too high to date a Felon?

We have heard many women say I don’t have a man because………., and the common denominator in that laundry list of ALONENESS is the issue of many men having one or more felonies, and signignificant time spent in the penitentiary.  According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics the correctional men population in the U.S 1,352 per 100,000 and from 1980 to 2008, the number of people incarcerated in America quadruped from about 500,000 to 2.3 million people.  One in six black men had been incarcerated as of 2001; if this current trend continues, one in three black males born today can expect to spend time in prison during his lifetime.  Meanwhile, one in one hundred African American women are in prison. 
Some women say it is beneath their standard.  Some say having a felony shouldn’t matter, yet others say it depends on the type of felony.  Other debatable issues include the idea, everyone who goes to jail are not always guilty, and if they are what about his character and his repentance?  What about our ability to forgive to be forgiven? 
Women who are open to the idea of dating men with a felony and women who marry incarcerated men are labeled as desperate, with self-esteem issues, is this true?  She must believe she can “fix” the man, or she will have no competition from other women because of his circumstances.  In contrast, there’re women who are genuinely accepting and believe in second chances and that true love overpowers all.
The list continues……., so come get on the couch with 3 Counselors and a Couch on TALK BACK TUESDAYS for more.  Call in/logon, bring a friend, tell your friends, and men and women you just know will benefit from sharing our thoughts, feeling and experiences. Remember, together we can do more than being a part.
Holla Back on Talk Back with the counselors!