Importance of Fathers
Allan shared a touching story about a little boy who blamed himself for not one but two fathers abandoning him. (Thinking About the Sins of the Fathers at Easter)
It is important for children to have positive male and female role models but if one parent leaves, how do we help compensate for that? If you have an extended family nearby that certainly helps because an uncle, aunt, cousin or grandparent can be there for support.
- According to the National Center for Fathering, more than 27 million children live apart from their fathers. (The Importance of Father Figures in a Teen’s Life)
Also, why is it so common when one walks away from a marriage or relationship to sever ties with the children? I know in some cases the other parent makes it harder for the other to have access but sometimes it appears that they feel no responsibility to maintain a relationship with their children.
Marriage is supposed to be a sacred union that’s taken seriously. A big part of the reason it should be taken so seriously is that there are often children involved. If marriage is looked at as something to try out for a couple years, that can cause some serious damage and confusion to a child.
At the same time I agree no person should have to tolerate abuse and in some cases marriages have to end for a family’s safety. Frequently though something can be done to prevent the breakdown of a family and parents can still be involved after marriage ends. If society doesn’t value the importance of both parents, it makes it hard for children to learn how to be an involved role model later for their own children.
- See First Things First: The Importance of Positive Male Role Models on ideas on how to make a difference for a child when there is no father present.
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