Sunday June 19, 2022 | VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The parental influence of fathers has always been important. Trends in parenting and how to be a father have changed over the centuries, and quite a bit in the last 30 to 50 years as the gender roles have undergone societal challenges.
Nothing much has changed over time as to the impact a father has on his child or children. The tone of a family can easily be set — for better or for worse — by the approach a man takes to parenting.
There’s a traditional view that a father’s politics and a mother’s religion are the two primary influential factors on children as they grow up. This will vary from family to family, and indeed today there are many external influences that would ameliorate those initial impacts.
New trends:
Where children are raised in families with two parents of the same gender has yet to produce any indication of how well that goes for the children as they seek to establish their own gender identity. The trend is yet too new.
The effort of women trying to balance career and raising a family has depended — in many ways — on the willingness of the father to participate in gender-balanced household management parenting. There are likely still many men who do less than their female partners.
In 2022, we’re seeing a lot more open discussion in media streams about how men are dealing with the responsibilities of parenting.
Impact of absent fathers:
Healthy families contribute to healthy communities. Absent fathers impact not only relationships and families but often the financial security of children. In Canada, the Canada Child Benefit goes to the parent who is supporting the child(ren), which helps balance things out financially for families.
This year as the world witnesses the horrific impacts of the war in Ukraine we are seeing families torn apart before our very eyes. Men ages 18 to 60 have been required to stay in Ukraine to fight. Women and children have fled in the millions. This will have lasting traumatic impacts on families for years and generations to come.
Brad Wilcox, a researcher in Virginia USA, Tweeted today on the impact of not having a father: “Boys who grew up apart from their biological father about 2 times more likely to land in prison or jail by @ age 30. NB: fatherlessness is a better predictor of incarceration than race or growing up poor.”
Health Canada posted for Father’s Day: “Dads and father figures play a critical role in building healthy children and families. Their positive involvement is strongly associated with benefits for their children, partner and themselves.”
Impact of high-profile fathers:
Modern dads who are in the public eye seem to take one approach or the other … either their children are kept out of the public eye, or by contrast are not only in the public eye but interwoven into the father’s political or business career.
Legacy or inheritance through family businesses or political dynasties is often seen in western culture.
Annual celebration:
Father’s Day is celebrated each year on the third Sunday of June. Happy Father’s Day to those who are celebrating today, June 19.
Even if your father is not around or has passed on, each of us can celebrate the impact that our father has had on our lives.
===== SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS about FATHER’S DAY:
- The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Kate): “Wishing a Happy Father’s Day to fathers and grandfathers across the world today!”, along with a photo of William with their three children.
- Elections Canada: “Happy #FathersDay! Skip the barbecue tongs and give dad the gift of showing him where to find reliable info about federal elections.”
- Health Canada & PHAC: “Happy #FathersDay ! Dads and father figures play a critical role in building healthy children and families. Their positive involvement is strongly associated with benefits for their children, partner and themselves.”
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “I couldn’t be prouder of these three or love them any more. (And yes, I’m still taller than Xav… for now.) To all you dads out there, I hope you’re able to spend some time with the ones you love today, too. Happy Father’s Day!” ~ Posted with a few family photos.
- Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh: “It’s my first Father’s Day with Anhad and I’m so excited! I know there are some great dad’s out there. What are some of your best life hacks? Text #Dad and send me your dad tips. 613-801-8210 Happy Fathers Day!”~ Posted with a photo of his wife and baby daughter.
- BC Premier John Horgan: “I didn’t get to know my Dad because he passed away when I was a baby. Recently I got the chance to share how lacrosse became a way I could connect with him. I’m glad I get to share my love of the game with him.” ~ posted with a photo of John Horgan about 30 years, with his two then-young sons.
- Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins: “Just a glimpse into my Dad. My mom was the center of his earth. We were all so loved. Happy heavenly Father’s Day Dad.” ~ posted with photos of her father.
- Slegg Lumber: “A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there but a guiding light whose love shows us the way. Happy Father’s Day from all of us at Slegg.”
- MyBelmont: Wishing all the dads an amazing Father’s Day! From the entire #MyBelmont Team.
===== ABOUT THE WRITER:
Mary P Brooke writes the news through a socioeconomic lens.
She is the founder and editor of Island Social Trends, which was preceeded by West Shore Voice News (2014-2020), Sooke Voice News (2011-2013), and MapleLine Magazine (2008-2010.
Ms Brooke holds a B.Sc. (food, nutrition and community education) with a second major in sociology, as well as a Certificate in Public Relations (Cert PR). She holds a Certificate in Digital Marketing (2021).
Mary is the mother of four now-adult children.