Tomorrow is Father’s Day, a day in which fathers are celebrated for the roles they play in their child’s/children’s lives.
But what about the fathers who do not play any role in the lives of their child/children, those who are better known as deadbeat fathers? Should recognition be given to them on that day?
The answer to that lies with the child/children. We entreat them, however to always remember the biblical saying, “Honour thy father and thy mother…” as bleSssings are always preferable to dissent, ill luck or dissatisfaction.
We take this time to acknowledge the fathers who are always there for their child/children, who actively participate in their lives and who help them grow up, who raise them, nurture them, attend their activities and are always there for them.
We understand that real fathers also have their faults, however in spite of these faults they come through for their child/children, doing the best they can to provide a stable family life and help raise well-adjusted kids.
Fathers after all, are human. They aren’t perfect. They can be confused and uncertain. They make mistakes. They are not really mythical beings, according to a blog writer. They come in a wide variety of flavours, from aloof to xenophobic. But fathers they are and in the real world they help support their families financially, socially and emotionally.
They strive to protect their children from danger. They teach — both by words and by example — their children about common sense, character, morals and ethics. When daughters and sons are confused by signals they get from peers or from society, dads — and moms, of course — try to coach their offspring/s through that particular piece of our complicated world. Then they move onto the next day, the next uncertainty, and the next words of wisdom.
To the real fathers who love their children and continue to serve as a landmark of stability to them as they navigate the winding road toward adulthood and life in general, we say thank you. We thank you because your presence in the life of your child/children means that the foundation of the Saint Lucian society will always be strengthened as time goes by. Your stable source of advice for your children takes a great bite out of crime, something we applaud wholeheartedly.
We sidestep a little to focus on the millions of children around the world who do not live with their biological father. The men who take on the role of fathers to these children should also be applauded. We are talking here about stepfathers, uncles and grandfathers. Their roles have been undeniably important as they have stepped up and delivered.
To the new fathers, remember that scientific studies have shown that fathers who care for, nurture and play with their babies raise children with higher IQs and stronger language and cognitive skills.
In the words of author and motivational speaker Leo Buscaglia, “If there is any immortality to be had among us human beings, it is certainly only in the love that we leave behind. Fathers like mine don’t ever die.”
Happy Father’s day to the real fathers in our midst. And to those men who believe they could or should ignore their fatherly responsibilities, just remember that children who grow up without a father are more likely to live in poverty and commit crime; more likely to drop out of school, also, highly more likely to end up in prison. They are more likely to have behavioural problems, or run away from home or become teenage parents themselves. The statistics are available for all to see.
Once again, big up to the fathers who reliably bring home a paycheque, fix a leaky roof or faucet, help with household chores, provide an endless and sometimes – but not always – appreciated stream of parental advice, and instinctively know when and what to do to help a son or daughter through an emotional moment.