Despite technological conveniences and innovations, modern society is bizarrely skidding toward moral chaos and civil collapse. Our prosperity enhances, excuses, and even masks our cultural decay. We may enjoy unparalleled creature comforts and be well fed, but more and more Americans are miserable.
Instead of advancing the human experience, we are abandoning traditional timeless family values resulting in increased anxiety, depression, discontentment, and general unhappiness. Broken families and absent fathers are certainly large factors, but the relentless attacks on men and masculinity are gravely eroding fatherhood, an essential element of a sound family unit. Strong families are the crucial building blocks of strong communities which are the critical components of a strong country.
The instinctive roles of the father are protector and provider. The father should protect his family from physical and spiritual danger. Though threats from war and wild beasts are greatly diminished, human predators pushing drugs, sex, and violence are quite prevalent. And pop culture sadly glamorizes such general immorality. Fathers should also provide for their families whether absent or present. Fathers should feel an overwhelming obligation to ensure their children are properly cared for, but they increasingly shirk those duties to single or working mothers or the government.
Beyond the innate roles, fathers should lovingly teach their children about God, character, work, and life skills. Both parents teach their children many of the same topics, but the lessons and perspectives differ. Mothers are certainly vital to the family, but the strongest family needs both a mother and father.
Although too often struggling, mothers are generally on the job. The biggest cracks in the modern American family are largely from weakening fatherhood. Too many fathers leave, but too many that remain are retreating from fatherhood. The constant feminist drumbeat that masculinity is toxic and men should really just be more like women is wearing down too many men. So they reconsider their roles and some conceal or suppress their masculine perspective and proclivities.
That’s a man size problem. While female contributions are required, the uniquely male approach is also necessary to raising well rounded children. Fathers instill confidence in children. It is fathers’ fidelity and courage and that makes families feel safe and assures that all will be well. The kids and Mom can rest easy knowing Dad will be there to keep the wolf from the door. He will do whatever it takes.
Gentleness is born of strength; weakness is clumsy. It takes strength of body to pick up the injured, strength of mind to withstand the detractors, and strength of heart to heal another heart. Fathers imbue their children with compassion when they show deference to the weak.
Fathers must set the standards by their example and demand the same from others, but they must also exhibit fairness by enforcing justice. There is no incentive to goodness or excellence if there are no consequences for disobedience or failure. That’s tough love, but that’s what fathers do. Without it, we get a generation of whiny snowflakes always running for safe spaces.
The world is not safe. The only hope for safety and security is when fathers are doing their job. It’s past time for fathers to step back up to the plate. Forget feminism and political correctness; they are flawed and will doom families and thereby the nation. This is not to push mothers aside, but rather a call for fathers to stand up beside their wives and be the fathers God created them to be. It won’t be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Our children, our wives, our families are certainly worth it and our nation will thrive for it. It’s time men. Be the father.
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9
