Faithful fatherhood

In a society where masculinity is often characterized as toxic and the term patriarchy evokes villainous images, young men in Generation Z and Generation Alpha are growing up feeling threatened – as if they are collateral damage in the culture war. Pundits marvel at the rise in popularity of hypermasculine podcasters in the “manosphere,” the revival of combat sports and macho hero movies, and the surge of so-called lumberjack and burly man fashion trends.

However, about 1 in 4 U.S. children live in a home with no father present. Even in homes with fathers, the average school-aged boy only clocks about half an hour in conversation with his father, while spending at least 40 hours per week consuming media. Children in father-absent homes are more likely to have mental and emotional health challenges, struggle in school, and end up incarcerated, according to a May 2023 article from America First Policy Institute.

Famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass once said, “It is easier to build strong children than repair broken men.”

Firm foundation

Living with a history of trauma, abuse, or relationship dysfunction is painful and difficult. Living in a world in which you are trying to create a new fatherhood legacy by unlearning and relearning relational pathways is also hard. However, the former path leads to destruction and despair, while the latter leads to hope, joy, and blessings for generations to come. The good news is, we serve a God who redeems, renews, and restores. It’s never too late to create pathways to healing.

More than ever, children today need emotionally healthy, engaged fathers who model a deep, abiding, living, growing, and authentic faith in Christ. In a world where chaos and “cancel culture” reign supreme, giving your sons and daughters assurance of God’s Word as a trusted, firm foundation is a gift with eternal significance.

Fruitful affirmations

Dads, if you are carrying on a beautiful heritage of faith that was passed down to you, or if you are the trailblazer in a new path of healing, I encourage you to bless your children of any age in these ways:

• Ask your children daily, “How can I pray for you?”

Then be faithful to pray with them, for them, and over

them. Pray boldly with confidence in God’s provision.

• Speak Scriptures over your children. Encourage them

with words of truth. Give them wisdom and encouragement.

• Go to church with your family. Walk faithfully with those

who share your faith. Show your children what it’s like to

serve others.

• Listen with your face. It’s hard to grow up in today’s world.

It’s so different than it was even a generation ago. Your

children don’t need you to fix their problems as much as

they need your confidence that they will be able to face them.