The goal of education should never be to make our sons smart and successful in the eyes of the world. Rather, we should teach them to become good husbands and fathers - a goal the great Cuban poet José Martí once called "the greatest aim in education." Young men who become true fathers will influence and change the lives of countless people, because true fatherhood does not only mean being a father to one's own children. They can be fathers to all children around them, especially to those who grow up in single parent homes, or those whose fathers are in some way absent from their day-to-day lives.

Unbelievable as it seems, more than half of the world's children are estimated to spend at least part of their childhood without a father in the home. Never before have so many men abandoned their wives and children. Because of this, fatherhood is actually a duty that ought to be entrusted to every male, whether or not he has children of his own.

I have been married almost forty years now, and my wife and I have eight children. Looking back, I can see many times when I was not a good father, even though I always wanted to be one. Having grandchildren and being in contact with many other children gives me a chance now to make up for lost time.

One person who always inspired me was Delf, a teacher who later became a close friend. Delf accidentally killed his own son by backing a truck over him. After this tragedy, Delf spent the rest of his life being a father to other boys--including me. Then there is my friend, Steven McDonald, a former New York City detective, who was shot seven months before his son was born. Now a quadriplegic, he has never been able to play ball with his son, or hold him, or hug him. Yet Steven insists on attending every game at school, picking his son up and taking him to school as often as possible, even though he himself has to be driven.

Steven is a better father than many fit ones. He also travels and speaks to elementary and high school students, providing leadership and inspiration to thousands of young people. Over the years I have known and met many others--coaches, teachers, mentors, and others who were, like Steven, an important (if not the only) father figure to the children around them.

Children hunger for masculine role models whom they can trust and admire. And humility and love go a long way toward earning admiration. A good father is willing to make mistakes, to learn from them, and even apologize for them; his aim is never to prove himself, but to make life a little more joyful for everyone with whom he comes into contact.

Thankfully I had a good father and a good mother. Even if during my childhood my father was away a lot, I always knew he loved me. He also set firm boundaries and demanded that we children love and respect our mother. Because of the security he gave us, we adored our father, and believed he could do anything.

Perhaps the biggest problem with today's fathers is that they are afraid to be real men. By "real" I do not mean macho. To me, a true father has something of a mother in him - something tender. He will also be selfless, focused, ready to provide leadership, and eager to go to bat for those in his care. Think of the problems that could be solved if men gave as much love and time to their wives and children as they do to following sports, or watching TV?

Life in today's world is life in a war zone, and too many fathers are unwilling to be called up--to be soldiers, twenty-four hours a day, on their own home front. As in any war, there will be casualties. But the greatest gift a father can give his family is the knowledge that he is there for them, unafraid, and ready to exert all he has for their sakes, physically, mentally, and spiritually, at any time of the day or night.

We men should encourage one another to become true fathers again. We live in an age when fear seems to dominate every relationship. Through the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the increased violence and threats of terror, true fathers are needed more than ever. Our world is so full of loneliness and isolation, crime and mental illness. Why can't we fathers do more to provide beacons of light and stability and hope?

Wherever there are true fathers, they should be congratulated. Wherever there are men who long to be true fathers but have not quite achieved it, they need to be encouraged, because even if fatherhood is becoming a lost art, it can be rediscovered and celebrated--and not only on Father's Day.

About the author:

Johann Christoph Arnold is a family counselor and author of ten books. Read more of his articles and books at http://www.ChristophArnold.com . Reprinted from http://www.bruderhof.com - &Copy; 2003, Bruderhof Communities. Used with permission.

The Real Adventure - Fatherhood

·   Kent Nerburn, Letters to My Son: Reflections on Becoming a Man

It had been a difficult few years without them in my life. More years than I wanted to think about, really. Almost sixteen, but who's counting... I was. Our parting had not been on the best of terms. I was so nervous. I hadn't seen her at all during that time, and now here she was, quite grown up, standing before me and introducing the young man that she was going to marry. I liked him right off. Quiet, but self-assured. He would make a good father, I knew. He had had a good father, too, and it showed. Ruggedly handsome, strong and healthy, an easy laugh, a gentleman. I could ask for no better to jump into the family gene pool. They were such a handsome couple, they would make beautiful grandbabies. I was invited to their wedding! I hadn't seen my older son since he was on his mission, seven years before. He was 28, now, helping out at his sister's wedding. I knew he was tall, but I only had an inkling of his talent. Self-confidence born of long nights of stand-up comedy, long days of taping kid's programming for ABC television, stellar performances in front of the audience at pageant after pageant. The goatee looked good on him. I couldn't grow a decent beard until I was well into my thirties. My dad never could grow a beard, but he did wear a goatee once in a while. He has his own theatre and performing troupe. Early in his life, he has known successes I will never know. Today, he has a lovely wife, a beautiful home, and a grandbaby on the way. Number seventeen grandchild for me, but who's counting...? I am. With a smile. I have pictures, too, of almost all my grandbabies.

My younger son is still looking for himself. I worry about him, just like my dad worried about me, I suppose. It does no good to worry. We fathers figure that out, eventually. He'll get there, given enough time and patience. I did.

But before that, I spent a lot of time trying to find myself, so I know how that is. My dad did that, too, I think. He went to Angola in 1969, just after I went in the Navy. I suppose he wanted more adventure in his life. It was a disappointment for him. He didn't find himself, or adventure, in Angola. All he found was emptiness in himself, and a country at war.

I helped raise seven children. Two boys, five girls. I love them all. They love me, too - some more than others - we are working on that. I also had some fatherly help with the job of raising some of the kids. There were stepfathers, step-grandfathers, etc. They deserve some of the credit, because they were there when I was not.

Now, the seven children are young adults, helping to bring up father. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have the job of being a father!

No father is perfect, with one Heavenly Exception. Most of us Dads have little things that either endear us to you, or absolutely bug the stuffing out of you. Some are hard to love. Some never get to the point where they feel comfortable in telling you that they love you. Some abuse the privilege of being a father. Some don't deserve the blessings they enjoy. We know it.

It is easier becoming a father than being one. But, I think being a father is the best job a man can have. Being a grandfather is a great job, too. It is like having a second chance to do all the things you wanted to do as a father, all the fun stuff, all over again. Spoil 'em rotten, and send 'em home, that's my motto!

Thank you, my children, for hanging in there with your dear old dad. Thank you to my dad, for being my dad all he could be. Thank you, grandfather, for being the best grampa I could have hoped for. And to my sons and sons-in-law: My fondest hopes for a rewarding and successful career as a father. Just call, if you need some fatherly wisdom. I've learned some of the stuff the hard way, so I can save you some heartaches.

Quite an adventure. I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Peace and Light, Michael

email: Michael@N-Spire.com - or, send your to me right now!

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