Let’s Hear it For Dads!
"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."
- Billy Graham
The role of fathers is greatly undervalued in our society, as exemplified in a couple of ways. First, by the discrepancy between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations, we see how society views the importance of a dad’s role in his kids’ lives. Surveys, phone records, and financial reports all point to the truth that Mother’s Day in America is more widely celebrated (McDonnell, Father’s Day versus Mother’s Day; The Role of Fathers Still Unappreciated). Another clear indicator that men’s roles are undervalued is the extremely low bar set for dads. While this evidence is more circumstantial, there are numerous accounts all over the internet of men being praised in public for “basic” parenting actions because even this is more than is expected of them. One mother writes, “After we had our third child my husband would sometimes feel like a minor celebrity if he chose to walk down the street with all three children in tow” (Shad, https://tinyurl.com/3a4rxkj5).
Our cultural biases and expectations for fathers are extremely detrimental because we undermine the importance of the role.
Research has shown that children who grow up with involved fathers have a lower risk for juvenile incarceration, poor school performance, alcohol and substance abuse, teen pregnancy, suicide, and more!
(Learn more about the statistics from the National Fatherhood Initiative.)
Good Dads Kansas City is working to help men understand their important role in their homes and give them a path to success. The most important aspect of the program is teaching men about God and what it means to be a Biblical husband and father.
The Bible is the basis of each lesson and it is only through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit that these men see true, lasting change!
Men are discussing topics through Good Dads KC that are not happening anywhere else: not with friends, at church, at work, or at school. One such topic is the intersection of how manhood is viewed by our culture and by God (Biblical manhood). They looked into influences from their childhood and what the world says, comparing and contrasting those with what God says about Biblical manhood. This session, in particular, was very popular and it was difficult to close down the conversation as they discussed how to lead a family, protect a family (specifically from the dangers of social media), and be a man of God. The men appreciated the safe space to discuss what is often viewed as taboo in an increasingly feminine culture.
Another important aspect of the Good Dads KC program is providing men with practical help to get them back on their feet if needed. Part of the training focuses on financial concerns, such as jobs and child support. We have recently begun working with a specialist on social services and child support. He attended the trainings at Healing House and Swope Health Imani House, speaking to the men about the laws around child support and their responsibility. He then made himself available as a resource to these men if they needed help with understanding or communicating in the future. The men applauded him and the relief was evident on their faces as they more clearly understood the child support system.
Good Dads KC is committed to walking alongside the fathers of Kansas City to help implement sustainable change. We are working to provide resources and encouragement wherever we can.
Our partnerships continue to grow with the organizations that host the Good Dads KC trainings. Through the favor of the Lord, God is opening doors. As God continues to grow the program, our funding needs are also increasing. We currently have 46% of our financial needs met for this year.
Please continue to pray with us that God will provide so that more men can be reached with the Gospel.
Thank you for all you do; we could not do this work without you!
With Father’s Day this month, let’s go against the norm and overwhelm our dads with an outpouring of respect and thankfulness for their role in our lives!
Story by Hadassah Stout
* You can make a financial gift to Good Dads KC here: tinyurl.com/good-dads-kc-giving
* Learn about serving opportunities here: tinyurl.com/nwcvolunteer
* To join our prayer team email:
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