Dads Making a Difference
Getting Started: According to Rob Hoskins, President of OneHope, there’s bad news for dads this Father’s day. A new survey of youth opinion shows that less than half of U.S. teens say they are frequently proud of their fathers. (Attitudes and Behaviors of Youth, OneHope, 2010) Does this surprise anyone? For the past decade, American pop culture had idolized the slacker guy…the video gamer…the non-conformist and the goofball dad over the accountable, respectable, involved family man. One of the results is our kids are suffering from the consequences of having boy-men for role models and fathers.
Ø The average teen boy now watches 50 porn clips and indulges in video games for an entire work day a week.
Ø Nearly half of U.S. teens spend less than 30 minutes a week talking with their dads about things that really matter.
Ø Almost a third spent virtually no time at all conversing with their dads on important life topics.
Ø And we wonder why teen boys retreat to a world of fantasy games. pornography, and juvenile media.
That’s why it is so important for dads to be engaged in their kids lives. Children have a right to the emotional and physical security that comes from responsible and involved parents. Our primary responsibility as parents and grandparents is to shape lives. It is up to us to model mature behavior and sound morals to our kids and demonstrate the kind of person we want our kids to be when they grow up…and, believe it or not, they are watching:
Ø 80% of teens still say that their parents are their greatest influencers!
Ø That’s great news for dads…we have the power to make a positive impact on the next generation but only when we show up and show attention.
James Dobson in his book, Bringing Up Boys, states that “a father holds awesome power in the lives of his children, for good or ill. He goes on to state, “Boys are in trouble today primarily because their parents, and especially their dads, are distracted, overworked, harassed, exhausted, disinterested, chemically dependent, divorced, or simply unable to cope”
We as parents and grandparents are raising the next generation of men and women who will one day lead our nation and world. They are the bridges to the future. We need men today who will be bridge builders, to build lasting qualities of character, self-discipline, respect for authority, commitment to the truth, a belief in the work ethic, and an unshakable love for Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 NIV
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
Three Contributions Dads Can Make For Their Children:
1. A Source of Encouragement
2. A Source of Comfort
3. A Force for Good
