The greatest crisis in national development is not lack of money or investment or even crime and unemployment. Behavioural scientists have proven that the greatest crisis in national development of any country is the absence of fathers in the nation and in the home. There is no substitute for fathers. This article will address the importance of fathers or male role models in building the family.
It will help us to understand the importance of the father in personal and national development as a whole. It is imperative that one knows the role of a father because if the purpose of something is not known, abuse is inevitable. The word father indicates the position and function and not just a title or name. There may be children who have other people performing that function in their lives as opposed to the biological parents.
A father’s impact can have a far-reaching consequences on even generations yet unborn. The role of the father can be likened to a very beautiful house without a strong foundation. It is very easy for that house to crumble down when there are strong winds. Now, how can we identify who a father is? The Hebrew meaning of a father means the source, sustainer and foundation. Hence, the male is meant to be the one holding the family intact. The male is also called the progenitor; ‘pro’ means support (emotional, financial and psychological) and ‘gene’ comes from the word genetics. This implies that the genes of the human race came out of the male. This is very significant because genes determine personality, quality and type. It is therefore not a role to be taken for granted because the father or the male determines the quality of a nation. There is simply no substitute for fathers.
Fathering is therefore a position and a function that is performed as opposed to claiming titles to lord over vulnerable people. He must be present, observable and also can be emulated. The role of the father has been left for teachers, learning mentors and friends to fill and the society is experiencing the effects of fathers who assume that child rearing is mainly the responsibility of mothers. The voice of the father has always been very important in the lives of children and even more so in this day and age when the love of many is waxing cold and evil is at its peak in society. These voices are never heard when families need them most or they are so loud and thundery when families are in desperate need of encouragement and a listening ear. The football pitches are filled with mums who are cheering their sons on because the men in their lives are either not aware of their responsibility or they would rather be a hero to other people other than their families. Young men are looking up to fathers who will teach them how to excel in everything that their hands find to do and how to be responsible fathers, uncles and husbands.
Girls on the other hand cannot be excluded from this as they desperately need to hear the voice of the father, to be available from the cradle and to assure them that they are the most beautiful miracle bestowed from above. This special voice means so much to these children especially in this generation when young men are roaming the streets seeking for identity in the wrong places and the most dangerous things, whiles the girls also lack self-esteem hence heeding to every beck and call from the corner of the streets.
Making your voice heard in an inspiring a positive way does not require the abundance of wealth and material things. Mothers on the other hand also have a very important role to play in this because we need to be aware of the essence of the voice of the father and do anything possible for this to be a reality in your child’s life. Dad, whatever you do, do not be a stranger in your own house and make sure that the hug does not seem strange as memories will last longer than we do.
Fathers, you are privileged to be instrumental in forming the character of this generation and the next generations. It will be your standards that shape your family for years after you are gone so do it with dignity and character as it’s your contribution to the next age.