June 13, 2012
Fathers – A Powerful Influence for Good
I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection. -Sigmund Freud
The greatest thing a FATHER can do to his children, is to love their mother. -Anjaneth Garcia Untalan
“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” -Billy Graham
Fathers are recognized around the world as a powerful influence for good–an influence worth celebrating!
The tradition of celebrating “Father’s Day” came into being soon after the turn of the century and is celebrated in many countries around the world. In countries where the Catholic Church plays an important cultural role, it is celebrated on the Catholic’s St. Joseph’s Day, which is March 19th.
The United States always celebrates Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June as does Argentina, Canada, Chile, France, Japan, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Some Nordic countries, such as Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden celebrate on the second Sunday in November. Taiwan chooses to celebrate on August 8th because in Mandarin dialect the numbers for that month and date sound the same as their word for “father”.
Whatever the date, the celebration is a worthy one. Few influences in the world are as impactful as that of father.
United Families International wishes to bring society as a whole back to the recognition of the importance of this role, for it is critical to our civilizations success! Research shows a clear and concise connection between poverty, promiscuity, prison terms and many of the problems children face – all stemming from a lack of a father in the home.
Let’s put Dads back on the pedestal they deserve. Let’s praise and appreciate their role as protector, provider, and presider in the home. As we show them we value the important role they play we empower them to more fully fulfill it.
The following poem, written by an unknown author, captures the legacy left me by my Dad and the one I see being left to my children.
A dad is someone who wants to catch you before you fall but instead picks you up, brushes you off, and lets you try again.
A dad is someone who wants to keep you from making mistakes but instead lets you find your own way, even though his heart breaks in silence when you get hurt.
A dad is someone who holds you when you cry, scolds you when you break the rules, shines with pride when you succeed, and has faith in you even when you fail…
Thanks, Dad, and Have a Happy Day!
To see a great list of research on the importance of fathers in their children’s lives, go here.
Warmly,
Carol Soelberg
President, United Families International