A Woman’s Work
Heroes and Strangers The Lives of Dads
By Sharon Knierim
Some of us are fortunate enough to have grown up with fathers who were seriously committed to parenting. These men who we treasured as the leaders of our families typically sought to be paragons of virtue, hard workers, and dispensers of all kinds of wisdom, guiding us toward our own adulthood. Many modern dads jump right into the role of fatherhood by changing diapers, providing bottles, and crawling out of bed for that much-dreaded 2 a.m. feeding. Not so long ago, this was unheard of. Today, the bonding between father and child seems to begin earlier than it did in the past. Expectant fathers are very often involved in the prenatal aspects of pregnancy and in childbirth…which used to be a singular journey for a mother-to-be and her unborn child. Today, however, we see soon-to-be papas at birthing classes and assisting in the labor and delivery of their own children. Many of today’s dads are as familiar with their children’s inoculations and school grades as their counterparts and are often involved in daily activities with their offspring. No longer are children strangers to their father, wandering in and out of his life like actors in a stage play.
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Growing up, we learn all the good things about our dads. We learn to understand and appreciate their strengths. We focus on their good qualities. Whether they project a John Wayne–like persona or a likeness to Atticus Finch, we love our dads. A father is often the rock that holds an entire family together. Beyond providing a major income for the family, his very presence is reassuring for every member of the brood. Typically, after being under our dad’s wing for at least 18 years, we come to value and welcome his talents and very presence. In essence, as we grow and mature, Dad becomes our hero. He is the one who can solve problems. He is the one we come to for advice and counseling. We often seek his approval, above and beyond the approval of all others. This feeling is not to be confused with adoration or adulation…it’s a form of respect that grows, over the years, into something almost tangible.
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June 2021
11/6/20 2:09 PM
