Single Dads
American courts, as well as Anglo-American system that proceeded, have different views on single dads. Over the centuries, a question has risen on who is supposed to take care of the baby after a divorce of the parents. However, when both parents are involved, it is the best choice in any individual’s circumstances. Looking at how court ruling has transformed, it is evident that many men will be responsible for raising a child regarding court order. Through most of the Anglo-American lawful history, there is little custody proceedings because there is nothing to fight over. Children are recognized as paternal property under English law and early American common law. Other factors play important roles in this trend, especially the high mortality rate of mothers in childbirth. This death rate left many widowers. This paper explores the influential role that fathers play as well as the ways in which they are supportive.
How a Father Is Influential in My Life
The industrial revolution in the mid-800s changed the system by moving many fathers’ jobs away from the home. They were now working distantly from their children in industries and businesses that deprived them the possibility to care of their young ones.
My father played a vital role in nurturing my cognitive, linguistic, socio-cultural, and motor development. For that reason, my dad reinforced my development when he actively performed his roles in my life as a young child from the early childhood. Throughout my life, my father tries to change my behavior for better. In the current world, dads have an extensive impact on their child’s life. Despite the busy schedule of my father, he had time to attend to parents meetings, my sport matches, and other activities that my mother may ignore. In many occasions, my dad will try as much as possible to ensure that I participate in the sports activities. When I lose in the games, instead of putting me down, my caring father will encourage me by either buying what I need or taking me somewhere of my choice. As a result, I become motivated and would aspire to perform better in the activity so as to emerge the winner.
My father is a significant source of information and inspiration for me. In this manner, he will take time to walk with me in the night explaining a math problem or a science project that I am supposed to work on as a teenager. However, he supports me by providing everything I may need to ensure that I excel and gain a lot of knowledge. For instance, my father who is an engineer typically explains me the challenges he has gone through with the aim of encouraging me to be successful in my area of interest and achieve my dreams and expectations. In the same way, my dad becomes my first mentor because he advises and encourages me when we are together. Thus, I find it easy to cope with complex situations in life. Due to the reaction, I can adopt the values of my father until I prosper. In this way, my father gives me additional knowledge and experience that I can use when I become a grown-up.
Ways in Which a Father’s Role Has Been Supportive
My father has been very supportive through participation in problem-solving of the family matters. The presence of the father helps to meet social, emotional and psychological needs. In most circumstances, my father assists me in overcoming complicated situations while growing up. For example, I may have a challenge of selecting a better carrier or performing other daily activities that may be difficult for me to decide without my father’s concern. In this way, my dad provides an efficient model of problem-solving skills for me. This process instills my responsibility and independence as a youngster. My father does all these because he hopes that I may foster healthy problem-solving and be his offspring who is friendly with my teachers and peers.
Another way in which my father’s role is supportive is ensuring playing time for me. Dads spend more time with their children in physical matters and high-energy exciting play. Physical play not only builds muscles and develops coordination, but also helps to teach rules that govern a child while with others. Through the supportive role of a playmate, my father can encourage my sense of self-governing that is a primary objective of social and emotional growth. Through playing, my father is able to identify my thoughts, attitude, hopes, and dreams.
My dad has the responsibility of satisfying my basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and security. Other than provide the material objects like resources, the father has to care for the child especially in matters of health. On the same note, my father can make arrangement for my care even when he does not participate directly in the activity.
Ways in Which the Roles Have Been Problematic to Me
Though the supportive functions of my father impact positively my development, there are challenges that I face regarding the employment of these responsibilities. The primary aspect of the problem is the authoritative and aggressive nature of my father. Sometimes, my dad does not develop an open and participative communication with me. Instead, he demands that I do what he wants even when I am not convinced with his expectations. Fathers who are violent to their children evoke fear in the kids. Therefore, the children will not feel free to share their problems with them. As a result, they end up making poor decisions in their lives regarding career choices and other moral activities. This kind of behavior might affect the child psychologically and even develop a weak relationship between a child and his/her father.
Secondly, shortage of the resources and poverty contributes extensively to the challenge. The father may want to provide better services and satisfy the basic needs of the family, but there could be not enough resources. In the same context, some fathers who are in need of the support services for their kids are often the least likely to access them. We, therefore, end up having poor basic needs. For that reason, we develop depression and stress leading to their negative outcomes. Lastly, the temperamental habit of the child leads to misunderstanding with the father.
Advice I Can Give a Father of a Newborn Regarding His Role in the Child’s Life
I would advise a father of a newborn to avoid aggressiveness and being authoritative to the child particularly while conversing or guiding him/her. Preferably, he should listen to the child’s views and even understand the emotions of the child. This move will help the child to make a wise decision in future and also create a good relationship between the father and the child.
In conclusion, many children are brought up by their fathers due to the divorce or separation of the parents. Some mothers also chose to grant the father the custody of the children to be allowed to pursue her career and education. The readiness to take care of the baby has increased among men in the modern world. Because of these factors, a man has the responsibility of parenting a child. However, a competent and caring male parent can motivate and guide a young child efficiently and contribute to all areas of his/her development.
