The Symbolism And Realism In Today’s Role Of Being A Father

Father’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, June 15th. The millions of fathers and father figures will rejoice in their special day.

We will enjoy a special dinner, along with an assortment of gifts. Will we get another necktie? That was a must-have gift for old school dads. I can recall buying my dad a fair share of ties for Father’s Day.

Of course, today is a lot different. I believe technology has taken the place of ties. Dads receive phones and computers from their children now. However, a loving twist is that grandchildren are writing notes about how much they love us.

That’s cool and makes us feel special. If you are a grandfather like I am, you know what I mean.

Fathers’ roles have always been consistent, whether you are an old school dad or a new school dad. We are and always have been the leaders in our families. We are the protectors and the providers.

Has that framework changed? Personally, I don’t think it has. I guess it depends upon who you ask.

I grew up in an African American community in Winston-Salem NC where we had role models who we could emulate. They just went about their work each day, not drawing attention to themselves. However, we always knew they were there.

Their dignity and their diligence were characteristics we saw daily. Fathers back in the day were present and available.

I learned a great deal from my dad. As the time-honored expression goes, “he was cool, calm and collected”.

I know there were times when my dad got upset with me. Being a child, you are prone not to make good decisions. During this period, you just don’t have the emotional makeup to make good judgments. 

In a funny way, you think that everything you do is a good decision. The teenage years are the real beginning of figuring out how to make good decisions. It comes with trial and error along with instruction by your parents. That instruction part by your parents is vitally important.

I went through that trial and error part. Sometimes those outcomes led to sit down lectures by my dad.

My dad could have easily been a college professor as he could certainly hold your attention. While, I didn’t know it at the time, those lectures have made me a better man on all fronts.

Times have changed and, in some respects, so have the roles of fathers. Some would go so far as to say there are some additional responsibilities.

Peer pressure, bullying and technology have played a role in what fathers are having to confront today with their children. Are there other concerns and problems? Yes, yet these three loom large on fathers’ agendas.

Right and wrong yesterday are still right and wrong today. The difference today is there is more peer pressure. Children are more pressured to do wrong. Yielding to temptation has become easier for them.

What that means for fathers today is that the lines of communication must remain open. Talking to children still makes a difference.

Reports show that bullying is happening today in schools at an alarming rate. As parents that means having conversations with school leadership. I believe these engagements with them can help to lower these bullying numbers.

Technology has made many advances over the years. As a result, these advancements have made it easier for children to access information. We know that all information is not good information. Therefore, safeguards have been put in place to curb unwanted and distasteful information.

Being a dad is a great title as we will receive many rewards and great acclaim. Remember, once a father, always a father. It is not a part-time job.

Continue to stay strong and stay involved. I hope that you will enjoy a memorable Father’s Day.