The Importance of Fathers Being in the Picture
There is this myth that women can do it all, we’ re SUPERWOMEN.
By Regina Knox
Mothers are usually the face as the primary caregiver, the one that’ s the loving and supportive parent. But a lot of times, fathers are forgotten in the family dynamic and their role of parenting children. When faced with a life changing event and raising sons, I became more conscious that their father is important and necessary. Therefore co-parenting was crucial for me, which was and is a mutual decision where both parents agree to be involved in their children’ s lives; physically, mentally, financially and emotionally. Fathers are an integral part in the upbringing, despite the negative stereotypes that are often displayed in the media today.
It was imperative that my sons have a healthy relationship with their father and see him being involved. Raising sons, particularly Black sons, was challenging to say the least. With so much that is against them in this present day, a father being in the picture was paramount to their overall development in becoming productive men. He was able to provide advice to them on how best to handle some of life’ s challenges, given that he has more than likely experienced them himself. And, being present to give guidance and a perspective on a myriad of life’ s situations unique to males that I as a woman, know nothing about. Some real talk, no sugar coating the issues.
There are good fathers around and they are pivotal in their children’ s upbringing.
They are honored and proud to have the title of Dad. These men should really be celebrated more and asked why and how do they take an active role. Having that father / son or father / daughter bond is unique in that it allows that particular relationship to grow. Specifically spending quality time together whether scheduled or unscheduled makes a huge difference in a child’ s overall healthy development. Boys need a positive male influence, someone to look up to. Making sure they stay on the right track and are not persuaded to go down the wrong path.
Communication is key in the father / child relationship and having the child’ s best interest must be the focus. The question is from what type of lens do you want your children to view Fathers? With so many misconceptions of what a Father’ s role is and how that should look, that narrative has to change. Fathers bring a sense of trust, strength, and stability to a child’ s life. The Legacy of the family name being carried on is a sign of pride. Remember, a Father is one of a child’ s first teachers and yes the task of caring and raising a child can probably seem daunting I’ m sure and quite scary. But, Fathers do represent love and safety, and that’ s important for a child to feel that in his presence.
Communication is key in the father / child relationship and having the child’ s best interest must be the focus.
15