Y
ou’ve seen the ads... A father shows up at his home exhausted, his only desire is to unwind after a long day at work, and he sees his children jumping rope outside. His first inclination is to continue up the stairs, kiss his wife, and sit down in front of the television. But instead, he puts his briefcase down and jumps in with the kids. How about the father who is having a tea party with his daughter? The footage starts off panning an arm riddled with tattoos and grime. The camera continues up his arm and to his fingers where they are being painted red by the tiniest of hands. The shot pulls back to unfold the image of a father, sitting with his princess-like child giving him a manicure while they dine with a tea set. Both of these ads conclude with the simple and somewhat poignant statement that we started this article with: Take time to Be a Dad. Research shows that 34% of American children live without their biological fathers. Did you catch that? I'll state it again, but this time with a dramatic pause... a little over one third of our children live without one out of only two people that gave them life. The effects of an absentee father can
6
marijuana and hard drugs. It doesn't take long to realize that fathers play a preeminent role in raising their kids, and this role can and should be one that provides meaning for children.
translate into hurdles for the rest of adolescence and beyond. For instance, studies have proven that children raised in fatherless homes are five times more likely to be poor. Studies also suggest that "father closeness" serves as a protective factor against the use and abuse of alcohol, cigarettes,
If there is a young person in your life that calls you Dad, and you believe you could adjust the way you are instructing and raising them without resentment, you have the ability to right this wrong. You. Not your wife, not your pastor, not your child's youth pastor, not their teacher or coach. You have the ability to steer this proverbial parenting ship in the right direction. The onus is on you, fathers! If you find yourself as a father that is present in the home and taking an active role in your child's life, please keep doing what you're doing. But know that you cannot remain static as a father; you should always strive to grow, learn and better yourself as a parent.
Joshua Myers
Bell County
FAMILY
www.BellCountyFamily.com