Father's
Day is Sunday and it's important to note that Dads, all over the world, are
uniquely positioned to instill character and values in our boys. They are often
the ones our sons look to for guidance--the ones our boys look to as role
models. But often in society we raise our boys with a set of values that don't
serve them well and, consequently, don't serve any of us.
They are often taught to:
They are often taught to:
- Be strong.
- Have all of the answers.
- Be aggressive.
- Control their emotions.
- Be in charge of their relationships.
This
messaging can be the basis of behavior that sparks sexual and domestic
violence. With one in four women experiencing domestic violence in their
lifetime and one in five sexually assaulted at college, this messaging has to
change. Instead, we need to teach our young men to:
- Express their emotions rather than hold them in.
- Be fair in their relationships.
- Be compassionate and understanding.
- Realize that equality benefits everyone.
So,
for Father's Day, let's thank all of those amazing dads out there for being the
positive force in their sons' lives and for teaching them to grow up to be good
men of strong character rather than just strong men.
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day!
