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Introduction
Late one night while my children were sleeping, I began to think of how tough it is to be a good father today and how much easier it would have been 50 years ago.
50 years ago a father’s only responsibility was to bring home money to support the family, that was it. A father did not have to know how to cook dinner; it was waiting for him when he got home. A father did not need to take the kids to school or daycare; their wives did that. A father did have to understand their kids; they just disciplined them. A father did not have to worry about what their kids watched on TV or saw on the internet. There was no need for “Net Nannies”, “firewalls”, e-mail filters, chat rooms, and adult web sites. A father did not need to know where their kids were all of the time and they did not need to worry if there were sex offenders in their neighborhood. Fathers 50 years ago could take their kids to a ballgame for $5 and grab a hamburger on the way home for 40 cents. “Downsizing” and “Outsourcing” were not even words in the dictionary. Health insurance was a convenience not a necessity. A father could work long hours and weekends without feeling guilty about spending time with his family. A father changed the oil himself.
…but wait
Today, fathers are equal partners with their wives. Fathers get to spend time with their children. Fathers can ask for time off to spend time with their families. Fathers can cook meals. Fathers AND Mothers both can bring home money. Father’s get to look for fun things to do on the Internet. Father’s get to take their kids on field trips. Fathers get to go to meetings at the school. Fathers can stay at home. Father’s can be role models. Father’s can take their kids out to dinner. Father’s can take their kids to work. Fathers can teach their kids what is right and wrong. Fathers get to love and be loved. Fathers are allowed to cry. Fathers get to walk their daughter down the aisle. Fathers get to hug their son.
50 years ago, a father’s only responsibility was to bring home the money. I’m glad I’m a father today.
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