Fatherhood

This week in class, we focused on the importance of having both parents providing a supportive role in the lives of their children.  We specifically focused on fathers and what they have to offer.  While writing this, I will be referring to/drawing info from this article: https://childandfamilyresearch.utexas.edu/5-things-you-should-know-about-importance-fathers , so feel free to reference it as well if you would like.

            I would first off like to say that I am one of the luckiest people out there when it comes to having a solid father figure.  My dad has always done what it takes to put his family first.  Everything he does is for us, and we know it.  As his only son, the two of us have always had a special bond (especially since the rest of the house was full of young girls who seemed to think that screaming and high energy fun was the most efficient form of communication).  So as you may see, we rely on each other quite a bit to get that healthy fill of testosterone filled activities throughout the day.

            So to begin, this article states that fathers directly impact their children’s future.  I have seen this very first-hand in my life.  A huge part of my work ethic comes from me observing my own father’s actions.  The article also talks about how cognitive development is greatly affected as well by the role of a strong fatherly figure.  The article also lists that fathers strengthen their families in many ways.  Obviously, the traditional family structure has him going out and being the main breadwinner.  However, on top of that, having both a father and a mother allows the children to see how healthy communication should take place as long as their parents are doing so.  This will greatly help them to become more effective members of society.  I truly feel that if more families understood that the father isn’t just the “buffoon” that Hollywood plays him out to be, then many children would be better off.  The number of lessons I have learned from my own dad are numerous.  The very way that I compose myself has been greatly affected for the better due to him.  If more people understood the importance of the relationships between fathers and their children, then I am convinced that life around us would be much more stable.  People would be more patient and understanding of each other.  They would be more kind and compassionate, and would strive to be better people.  These traits can be taught so clearly by a father who treats his wife with the upmost respect and as an equal.  This I am saying out of experience, for I saw first hand how my mother comes first in my dad’s life.  She is his everything, and me and my sisters know that.  I wouldn’t want it any other way.

            There are many things in the article I was used that I did not quite touch on, so I invite you to read it for yourself.  Really think about your relationship with your own father whether it be positive or negative.  Then find ways to strive to help society recognize the vital role fathers have to play within it.  I know that if we all strive to do this, so many problems would work themselves out.