Does a kid NEED a father?

I've pondered this topic for a long time, always going back and forth on the answer. While I think it's wonderful and beneficial for a kid to have their father around; to raise them and teach them how to play ball or advise them on the male perspective of things, I don't think kids NEED a father. A father-like figure, yes. But there are many people who can play that role in a kid's life. In my son's case he has lots of "uncles" and wonderful grandfathers, as well as great uncles and even a great grandfather. He HAS male figures and positive male role models in his life, around him, often.

I usually don't let the fact that my son has 1 parent get me down. Usually. But, sometimes the father thing can get to me. The other day, at the local B&N, my son and I were reading (and playing) with books in the children's section. It was a delightful day. We had just come from enjoying a delish dinner with family and were relishing in the fact that it was early enough to visit a bookstore before bed. We sat in the children's section; browsing, running around. When I suddenly came across a book title that read: Why a Boy Needs a Father. I stopped in my tracks and glared at the book. I immediately felt sad and then...angry. Angry that books with these titles exist. Angry that one day my son might come across this same title when he's at reading age and feel the same sad way that I felt when reading this title. I quickly pushed the book to the back of the pile and moved: The Complete Single Mother to the front of the pile. I smiled to myself, feeling a tad bit better, and went back to chasing my little boy around the many aisles of children's books.