Utilizing Fatherhood – Become a Dad

 

 

I have discussed many times on my blog about how enjoyable it is being a father. The opportunity to take part in fatherhood is something that every man should have. I realize that not every man chooses to become a father. Some men choose to run, others choose to ignore and still more choose to stay in the home but are entirely absent from the family.

Society says that men aren’t good parents. The U.S Census Bureau counts stay-at-home dads the same way they do baby-sitters.  The media show negative aspects of fatherhood and our incompetence. Utilizing fatherhood is not the goal of society.

 

According to the 2011 Census Bureau data, 1 in every 3 children live apart from their father (National Fatherhood Initiative).  These children are at greater risk to fail in life. These children have higher dropout rates, mental health issues and more criminal activities than their counterparts. A father being absent in a home generally leads to that child living in poverty and it is a trend that will continue into the child’s adulthood.

 

Resources are good

 

As a social work, I would give families resources to help them with various issues. By definition, a resource is something used to support or help others. We need to change our thinking and recognize that parents are also a resource for children. Parents are actually the first resource a child will ever have. We need to start utilizing fatherhood as much as we do motherhood as a resource.

 

One of the best resources a man can have for fatherhood is other fathers. If we can begin to teach others about fatherhood, we will make our children a better future. Utilizing fatherhood as a dad is nothing more than caring about our children and sharing ideas.

 

 

1. Help others – Never be afraid to ask another man if he needs help as a dad. He might actually be appreciative and thank you. He might also need help but not know how to ask questions about being a father.

 

2. Learn – There are many good resources around the web that can help men out, and many of them are written by fathers. If you want to become a better father, don’t be afraid to find answers on your own.

 

3. Make mistakes – We have all been there. We have all done it. Father’s make mistakes. I have put my son’s shoes on the wrong feet, his clothes on backwards and have forgotten to take diapers when we went out. It’s okay if you make a mistake. Get back up, say your sorry (if you need to) and keep playing the game of fatherhood, our kids are worth it.

 

4. Me time – Children need and want fathers. Father’s will get tired, irritable and moody. Never forget that it’s okay to take some time for yourself too. It can actually make you a better parent. It can help you refocus on the job of being a dad.

 

5. No fear – Men can become afraid of the things. All fathers are sometimes afraid they don’t meet the expectations of those around them. If men begin utilizing fatherhood as a resource, we can learn to communicate with others that we all have the same fears. Knowing others are going through the same things and have the same problems helps us to become better fathers.

 

A man’s responsibility does not end with theirown children. We have a societal responsibility for all children. The responsibility doesn’t need to become complicated, just tell a dad he matters. Men need to have reassurance about their abilities as much as anyone. Just because, you think someone is doing a good job doesn’t mean they know it.

 

Knowing that 1 in 3 children live with an absent father what are your suggestions in changing that trend? Tell me your ideas in the comments!

 

Be sure to check out Andi-Roo at TheWorld4Realz who is writing about a month of controversy in the A to Z +1 August blogging challenge with me! Today is the letter “U” for Utilizing Fatherhood – Become a Dad!

 

Tags: mental health issues, motherhood, negative image, social work, u s census bureau