By NFRW President Eileen Sobjack
Everywhere you turn, there is something in the media about men behaving badly.
Whether it’s something terrible like a “Me Too” style accusation or something seemingly harmless like the endless parade of clueless guys in almost any commercial, men – particularly fathers – are constantly portrayed as the bad guys in today’s society. Their roles are belittled. Men are either evil, stupid, or worst of all – unnecessary. In today’s woke world men are perceived as having undeserved historical privileges for which they must apologize.
Yet statistics show that the loving presence of a father in the life of a child is invaluable. Studies show that children growing up with a father develop better cognitive skills, get better grades in school, find it easier to make friends, and are more likely to find steady employment as adults. Fathers bring strength, love, discipline, and a good partnership with mothers. They make a family unit complete.
Unlike the stereotype of yesteryear when a dad was considered a distant breadwinner, today’s fathers are encouraged to be hands-on parents – whether it’s changing diapers, driving the carpool to after-school activities, helping with homework, or just spending time together. A strong man can do more than just open that tightly sealed pickle jar. They bring a different perspective to the family. Men perceive the world differently and they have their own approach to solving problems and interacting with others. They teach their sons how to be a good man and their daughters how a good man behaves.
So this Father’s Day – let’s give a hat tip to all the guys who take their responsibilities seriously, who are not only men, but true gentlemen.
This is the guy who gives his child his own jacket when it’s cold outside. It’s the man who insists his kids learn how to change a tire before getting a driver’s license. Or the dad who works two jobs so his children can graduate college debt-free. Or the man who can make his kids laugh at goofy jokes no matter how old they are or what sort of day they’ve had. I know many men like this, and I bet you do, too.
Happy Father’s Day to those guys as well as the grandpas, uncles, and brothers who love the children in their lives.
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