Real Fathers, Real Men

From Real Fathers, Real Men

Last weekend I spotted a lot of Father’s Day messages on my Facebook. Father’s Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June, but it is also celebrated widely on other days.

Children need involved fathers in every aspect of their lives. Researchers found that the love – or rejection – of mothers and fathers affects kids’ behavior, self-esteem, emotional stability, and mental health. When dads aren’t around, young people are more likely to drop out of school, use drugs, be involved in the criminal justice system, and become young parents themselves.

Zhai Haijun notes that a considerable body of scientific literature points to the fact that children whose fathers are involved in their lives tend to be more advanced linguistically, perform better in school and are better adjusted psychologically. Fathers are important role models for their children. Boys especially benefit greatly from having a male role model. Boys and girls benefit tremendously from the example provided by a loving and caring mother and father. A mother who enjoys a good relationship with her husband is happier and this in turn helps her to be a better mother. No doubt, both parents benefit from being able to share the burdens of raising a family. This is even more true today at a time when fathers are more likely to play an active part in household activities and child rearing.

From A Daddy Blog

As Zhai Haijun points out, being a dad is also a great learning experience for a father. “In a very real sense, in being a father I also learned a great deal about myself, about life and the world. Fatherhood provided an invaluable window to my own past through which I was able to gain a better view of my own upbringing, sense of identity and perspective on the present. Being a father also provides one with a valuable “future” perspective. Fathers are concerned about the world that their children will inherit. Fathers want to make and leave a legacy of a better world than they themselves experienced.”

From Great Quotes

Unfortunately, fatherlessness is a growing problem in Australia and the Western world. Whether caused by divorce and broken families, or by deliberate single parenting, more and more children grow up without fathers. Fortunately, there are lots of good men in the wider family and community who can provide support and become good role-models for children who are growing without their biological fathers.

Let’s honor all those special – the real men every day, not just on Father’s day!

From The Real Father

Resources:

• The Facts of Fatherlessness
• The Importance of Being Dad
• Big Buddy – volunteer mentoring programme for fatherless boys
• Why do men need fathers?