Something happened the other day that made me feel uneasy. Yet I shouldn't have felt that way!
My wife had left for work and I was hanging the washing out to dry. A neighbour from down the way was in his backyard doing the same. 'Good day for drying', he called. 'Let's hope the rain stays away.'
I had to think about what made me uneasy. Then it hit me. Two men hanging out the washing!
When I was a kid that would never have happened. That was women's work, after all!
And that made me think about the changing role of men and fatherhood.
Change is seldom easy, hence the deeply buried sense of unease - even in someone like me who considers himself an enlightened individual!
The image of fatherhood has changed very much in recent years, hasn't it?
We've come a long way from the distant, unemotional, patriarch figure. The god-like master who provided for his family, but didn't expect to be troubled by family issues!
After World War II there was a definite shift. Men became much more involved in the play and leisure areas of family life.
Maybe this was due to the separation caused by the war and consequent feelings of vulnerability. But men still didn't get involved in household chores!
Today we see a much more enlightened image of the male as a co-parent, getting involved in all aspects of family life and pulling his weight in the home.
Or do we? . . .
Are we really there yet? Some men are moving in the right direction. Others need a gentle push!
Perhaps they need encouragement more than anything.
Young boys tend to see their dads as role models and often absorb, even unconsciously, their dads attitudes and habits. So if some of today's dads haven't witnessed and experienced the input of an involved father, the role may not come easily to them.
And yet a dad's involvement in family life has so much benefit both for the children, the mother and the dad himself.
By pulling their weight with the household chores Dads give a good example to their kids AND they help ease the burden on an all too often over-burdened Mum.
By getting involved in play and educational activities Dads can help build that vital relationship on which confidence depends - their own confidence as parents and the confidence of their kids:
So much to be gained, for all parties involved!
So if Dad is a rather reluctant participant in family matters, remember that as well as a firm push he may need lots of encouragement.
After all, the role may not come easily since hundreds of years on non-involvement are in his genes.
Let's all look forward to the day when hanging up the laundry is no big deal for a Dad!
Happy parenting.
Why do some parents and children succeed, while others fail? Frank McGinty is an internationally published author and teacher. If you want to develop your parenting skills and encourage your kids to be all they can be, visit his web pages, http://www.frank-mcginty.com/peace-formula.html AND http://www.frank-mcginty.com/peace-formula.html
whole house cleaning Deerfield ..Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More
The question I have for you drives right to the... Read More
Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More
Bi-Polar Disorder, or Manic Depression, is characterized by mood swings,... Read More
Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for... Read More
Research has shown that the present generation of children worldwide... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
Hints from Ruowen Wang? Keep a small basket filled with... Read More
On a recent Saturday evening, I noticed a young teen-age... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Ritalin is a good medication with a bad reputation. Its... Read More
One of the most prevalent problems of the computer age... Read More
Public-school teaching is structured in such a way that it... Read More
What you say and do about money has a profound... Read More
"My son won't go to bed at night without a... Read More
When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More
The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More
I've often thought that in 6 million years, archaeologists will... Read More
Q. I need your help with a question about my... Read More
Being consistent when children are less than perfect can make... Read More
You are at the grocery store with your daughter and... Read More
Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make... Read More
On a bright Sunday morning, a couple of weeks ago,... Read More
Oh Please, Don't Say Maybe!!!!Are you often a participant in... Read More
Are your children truthful, kind, and helpful? If so, read... Read More
home cleaning services Des Plaines ..An estimated five million scooters will be sold this year... Read More
Your child's leadership skills begin at the family dinner table.... Read More
For every season, check, check, check, There is a chart,... Read More
Parents are always looking for ways to open up the... Read More
Many families, ours included, have learned that breakfast is eaten... Read More
What a dreamer I am when thinking about parenthood. Most... Read More
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More
Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
Peaceful Parenting? ideas are very different from other kinds of... Read More
In our last issue we posted some of our suggested... Read More
You need to smart to be able influence adolescents. You... Read More
We were all teens at one time for some many... Read More
Have you heard the song; "I Hope You Dance"? It... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
Is Homework Really That Important?Dear Friends,I no longer teach in... Read More
For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More
Many children who suffer from the psychological effects of child... Read More
The internet is a dangerous place for your children. Don't... Read More
Why are more people, especially parents not outraged?I call it... Read More
Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More
Night Visits From Your ChildIn the middle of the night... Read More
There is no doubt that the benefits of being a... Read More
The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education... Read More
Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very... Read More
Successful families don't just happen. They take time, talent and... Read More
Parenting |