Obama speaks on importance of fatherhood

President Obama's speech in Chicago on Friday is worth revisiting because of the way he talked about fatherhood and his own upbringing as the son of a single mother.

In discussing the need to confront gun violence and build "ladders of opportunity" to the middle class for all Americans, the son of a single mother also discussed the need for strong families, and strong fathers.

"Don't get me wrong," Obama hastened to add. "As the son of a single mom, who gave everything she had to raise me with the help of my grandparents, I turned out okay."

There are "heroic" single mothers across the country, Obama added, "but at the same time, I wish I had had a father who was around and involved."

Earlier during his speech in Chicago's Hyde Park, Obama noted "there are entire neighborhoods where young people, they don't see an example of somebody succeeding.

"And for a lot of young boys and young men, in particular," he said, "they don't see an example of fathers or grandfathers, uncles, who are in a position to support families and be held up and respected."

Building strong communities and a strong economy "starts at home," Obama said, adding that "there's no more important ingredient for success -- nothing that would be more important for us reducing violence -- than strong, stable families, which means we should do more to promote marriage and encourage fatherhood."

The president also noted that "loving, supportive parents" can include foster parents, grandparents, extended families, and gay and straight parents.

"Those parents supporting kids," he said. "That's the single most important thing."