Fathers shoulder many burdens in 2018
There was a time when “World’s Best Dad!” on a coffee cup summed up all there really was to say about the state of fatherhood on the day designed to celebrate the institution. Father’s Day 2018 adds considerable weight to the shoulders of any father, like a child carried on a back until the time comes for them to set their own path.
Consider just some of the issues any father can, and should, take a stand against these days:
Abuse: The movement to end violence against women has made strides in recent months, but it teeters at a crucial fulcrum. A backlash is inevitable in a nation that elected a president despite his record of mistreatment of women.
A Father’s Day op-ed by Greenwich experts in domestic violence outlines many ways men can become proactive to halt gender-based violence. At the top of the list is “View yourself as an empowered bystander who can confront abusive peers.”
Taking such steps are bold, but that’s what the job of being a father — being a parent — demands.
The related issue of violence against men cries for more attention as well. We’ve reported it in routine and investigative stories on our pages over the years, but it remains a societal challenge.
Immigration: On Friday afternoon, U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Connecticut, released a statement in which she vented about our nation’s bruised immigration policy. “As a mother of three, my heart breaks at the thought of these children — some of whom are still in diapers — waking up each morning not knowing when they will be with their parents again,” she wrote.
This issue should reach into the souls of any American father as well. The volume of resistance has been rising, but should be considerably louder. More men must speak up.
Equality: Our state has taken measures in recent years to end inequality in the workplace, where women in Connecticut reportedly earn 82 cents for every dollar paid to men. More fathers should add their voices to ending inequity for women, as well as for minorities.
Bullying: Sage fatherly advice in a different era would be to ignore bullies. But bullying should never be ignored. A year ago, there were at least three teen suicides in Connecticut that inspired LGBT activists to promote public opposition to youths who are targeted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The fathers in our communities should initiate conversations with their children about these problems and serve as an example.
The definition of “men” as a gender won’t evolve until men as individuals reshape it one by one.
We ask fathers in our communities to stifle murmurings of backlash against these difficult issues. We ask them to acknowledge their own flaws so they can teach children. We ask them to shepherd a greater generation.
Yes, on this day they might anticipate a present, we ask fathers to share their own gifts.