HAPPY FATHERS DAY

What does it mean to be a father?

I am sure for different people it will conjure up different answers, philosophical, moral, and pragmatic.

“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.” – Sigmund Freud

In today’s society it is saddening that there are so many men who chose to get a lil sumpin, sumpin and refuse to accept responsibility for the outcome.

An estimated 24.7 million children (33%) live absent their biological father.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, “Living Arrangements of Children under 18 Years/1 and Marital Status of Parents by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin/2 and Selected Characteristics of the Child for all Children 2010.” Table C3. Internet Release Date November, 2010.

I am personally very aware of the pitfalls of being fatherless because I was. My entire childhood I watched my mother work two jobs to keep my sister and I fed, housed and clothed. At the ripe old age of 17 I had my mother sign the papers allowing me to join the US Army.

My reasoning was more oriented to no longer being a financial burden as opposed to freedom and adventure.

Today I have two beautiful daughters that I have done all I can to raise and provide for. Not because I knew what is was to be a Father, but because I knew what it is like not to have a Father. I was not going to do that to them. I knew nothing about Fathering, and I am still working on it. What I do know is that I love my children, and will do everything I can for them whether they like it or not.

http://www.fathers.com/statistics-and-research/the-extent-of-fatherlessness/

With the increasing number of premarital births and a continuing high divorce rate, the proportion of children living with just one parent rose from 9.1% in 1960 to 20.7% in 2012. Currently, 55.1% of all black children, 31.1% of all Hispanic children, and 20.7% of all white children are living in single-parent homes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. “Living Arrangements of Children Under 18 Years Old: 1960 to Present”. U.S. Census Bureau July 1, 2012. http://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/hh-fam/ch5.xls

According to 72.2 % of the U.S. population, fatherlessness is the most significant family or social problem facing America.
Source: National Center for Fathering, Fathering in America Poll, January, 1999.

I applauded the 69% of the Fathers who have become Dad. Have remained a constant source of love, and discipline to their children, or the children they have stepped up to embrace. Yes, a man can be a Father and not be a Dad. A man can be Dad and not be the Father.

“A Dad is someone who is present. A father is more of a biological term than a role of relationship.”

https://www.dadtography.com/definition-of-dad-vs-father-and-a-fathers-right-to-parent/

So, tell me Dad, what have you done today to protect your children from the Disasters and Emergencies that will come into their lives.

It is not too late to get started.

Till next time