When fathers are present, they empower their children

When fathers are present, they empower their children
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On this past father’s Day, I read an article about President Obama’s self-promise and commitment to being the best father he can to his daughters, while holding one of the most important role, and busiest job on the planet. The author argued that that may be one of the president’s legacies: being a great dad while at the White House.

Throughout his presidency, from the countless photos we have seen of Obama with his daughters, to the known fact that he routinely has dinner with his family, and to the more frequent display of the president getting emotional (and beaming with pride) when mentioning his grown-up daughters during interviews, it’s hard to deny that he has indeed been a great father, while being in office.

We may or may not emphasize this in history books, but it’s his daughters, Malia and Sasha, who will always remember this, and hold these memories as part of their childhoods – it won’t be memories of neglect, or barely knowing their father, as was the case with Obama with his own father.

The reason this is impressive and worth noting, is because there are many men who act differently. By no means is this generalizing or discriminating, as there are so many outstanding and wonderful fathers out there; fully committed to being daddies, spending lots of time with their children, and creating countless memories with their families. But there are those who are also workaholic, distracted all the time, use work as an excuse, or seem more passionate with various hobbies – and absent throughout a lot of their children’s upbringings.

Only later, when their children are more grown-up, or even as adults, that father-child get a second chance at building a relationship, and then they often do become close.

But even then, even if the bond is strong, and the mutual love and respect is there, children of these fathers who were always too busy to be around earlier in life, will always remember their childhoods with a certain something lacking. Those memories will shape who they’ve become as adults; their individuality, their psychology, and how they, in turn, treat others, especially their own families.

A mother may be naturally nurturing, but also influential, insightful, and one of the first to teach of values and virtues – but so can a dad if he is present in his child’s everyday life. Fathers are role models, advisers and confidants; first loves and best friends – as mothers are!

All these roles and responsibilities are equal and interchangeable between both parents – and both can just as much influence a child. And that is with their presence.

This presence empowers a child: first, by providing stability, and a sense of security. But also, through the many life-lessons a parent can teach a child only when they are there through every event, phase, and heartbreak.

To empower a child is to allow them to grow to be outstanding individuals. To empower especially a daughter, and from a father’s loving words or acts, is to give her wings to know she can do anything she puts her mind to – and that she has his support.

Nobel Peace Prize 2014 co-recipient Malala Yousafzai’s father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, said it best:

“People ask me, what special is in my mentor-ship which has made Malala so bold and so courageous and so vocal and poised? I tell them, don’t ask me what I did. Ask me what I did not do. I did not clip her wings, and that’s all.”

There is this wonderful campaign created by the organization G(irls)20, called: “ Fathers Empowering Daughters – (FED)”, to simply share stories of, and encourage more fathers to empower their daughters. A father (FED) or a daughter of a FED can submit their photos and stories, and it can be features on the FED website.

And speaking of Malala's father, he has contributed to the FED campaign, as has prime minister, Justin Trudeau.

G(irls)20
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau & daughter, Ella-Grace
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau & daughter, Ella-Grace
G(irls)20

From the home page of the FED website, is featured another powerful quote on the subject, by Joe Paeonesa, a Global Advisor to G(irls)20:

“When a Father empowers his daughter it connects them forever, creating two greater beings.”

And so, if president Obama can find time to spend with his daughters and empower them through his presence in their lives with daily display of love and affection, than every father can do their share as well.

To all the ambitious, career-oriented fathers out there, know that your role as a dad is just as important. Be there, be present; know that your opinion and insight is so very much valued and needed.

To all the wonderful fathers who are there every day; who are caring, loving and present and empowering, the world thanks you as you are playing your part in building strong, sons and daughters, and future generations of leaders, innovators and eventually, empowering parents.

To all the daddies out there, hope you had a lovely Father’s Day weekend!

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