In Defense of Fathers

Since today is Father's Day I thought I would take this opportunity to write about fathers. My father died six years ago. I loved him and miss him. He wasn't perfect but he was my dad. I am fortunate to have an amazing stepdad in my life who I couldn't ask to be a better husband to my mom. But it seems increasingly in our post feminist/women's movement society that fathers and men in general are being marginalized. On Twitter staring on Friday there was a hashtag #EndFathersDay (there was also an end mothers day hashtag as well). This didn't necessarily surprise me but it did sadden me. Fathers are so important in their children's lives. Not just sons but daughters as well. Fathers have a responsibility to show their daughters how a man should treat them. A girl who grows up with a father who loves her and her mother is much less likely to end up in a bad relationship. Notice I didn't say it couldn't happen but she has a much healthier view of relationships and self respect. She will know that she deserves a man who will treat her like her father treats her mother and shouldn't that be positive? Now I know that not everyone has a good father. But this is not about how certain individuals behave. This is about a culture that doesn't seem to value the role of fathers and husbands for that matter. The feminist movement, which was supposed to be about empowering women, has become about devaluing men. This is a sad thing for our children and our society. I know some pretty great men from family to friends at my church and workplace. Hearing them talk about their kids you know how much they mean to them. God designed a certain role for men in the lives of their wives and children and it breaks my heart to see that mocked and devalued.