-
Website
http://artofmanliness.com -
Original page
http://artofmanliness.com/2008/08/03/18-tips-for-being-a-great-dad/ -
Subscribe
All Comments -
Community
-
Top Commenters
-
Marisa Duma
2 comments · 2 points
-
vanderleun
2 comments · 137 points
-
Alison_H
4 comments · 1 points
-
Corey
15 comments · 2 points
-
jurisnaturalist
3 comments · 23 points
-
-
Popular Threads
BTW, as much as we share responsibilities, I think that breastfeeding really is a "mom" duty. :-)
Nice article, some well thought out and smart stuff here. Rickey digs.
Tommy Galan
http://thedaddyexperience.blogspot.com/
I disagree. Mothers are better at this than dads, let them do it.
"Treat their mother with respect, always"
This assumes that they deserve respect. Todays women treat men like dirt (Just look at Everbody Loves Raymond).
Otherwise, good article.
@glenn horlacher: First, not all mothers are better than all dads at these things -- that's a generalization that isn't true anymore. I'm pretty good at many of these tasks -- better than some mothers, I'd wager. And even if they are -- that doesn't mean you can't try it. It's pretty satisfying to be able to take care of your kids.
Also, I always assume that people -- women or men -- deserve respect. If you don't, then you're making a fundamental mistake. Treat people as you'd like them to treat you. It's an oldie but a goodie.
As a father who has constantly been devoted to being a better parent for the last 11 years, there is nothing I can add to this list, nor anything that I want to remove.
Well done.
All of us make mistakes. It is the highest virtue to be able to admit them and seek forgiveness. It is an even higher virtue to lovingly grant such forgiveness.
I do not have the keys to the kingdom. I do not have the secret of life. But I do go to sleep at night with profound joy, and I would have four more sons if that were possible.
I have told my boys: fight the good fight; finish the race; keep the faith. I think they get it. And whether I go first or one of them does, I know they will walk hand-in-hand with God. I only pray that I might be able to do so as well.
Besides the category of "Don't Be the Absent Dad," (mine was), I especially like your category of "Model Good Behavior." One thing I'd like to see parents model more often is apologizing when they're wrong. Having met several adults who would apparently rather die than apologize, I think having a parent who is willing to say, "I'm sorry, I messed up and I know it was hard for you," would go a long way to preventing a child growing up unable to apologize.
Again, great article!
So again, I agree but I would add "to be yourselves" and let your own uniqueness come through in how you raise your children!
Thanks for the advice.
Leo, if you want to switch genders and be a woman, go ahead, just don't advise todays poor confused young men to emulate you.
You were in the Navy and served our country for my right to raise two beautiful daughters to be contributing members of society - and I thank you, more than you will ever know. I hope one day they will respect that service and our country, by being appreciative, respectful and strong - not a drag on society or to their spouse. If I can teach my girls that by showing them that healthy marriages can mean that mom and dad share responsibilities.
My mother was not a drag on my father, she was his helper, nor was she a drag on society. Your comments are deeply insulting. And if you really care about veterans, start lobbying your congress critters to honor the American peoples promises to vets and take care of them like we deserve to be taken care of.
If I can teach my girls that by showing them that healthy marriages can mean that mom and dad share responsibilities, then I will call it a success. After all that, it turns out I am still a man and have, well, manly things I do and I believe I am a good example of a man to my girls. I am not Mr. Manly Man, but I don't shirk on my responsibilities. I change my own oil - protect my family - help put food on the table - make sure my kids are clothed, shoed, and read to - grow a beard in the winter - like tequila - and always call an all in with tens or better. Not much of a constitution but I do the best with what God has given me and don't hit the brakes very often.
Women and women's lib didn't put us in the situation we are in with all those examples you wrote about. Nor, did Dad's who feed their kids or do "women" chores.
Sure, some things are better left to moms and I am not disputing that, like explaining my girls' first period - but what if the good Lord calls my wife Home tomorrow? What am I to do then? I need to be prepared to handle that conversation - just like I need to be prepared to be cleaning my pistol the first time a boy shows up at my door ready to take my daughter on a date.
I never said anything about your mother and father's marriage, either. If you implied anything from that, that's on you. You composed a list of problems in today's society that you attributed to women and I responded that I can teach my girls to be respectful and responsible for their actions by being an example and contribute - not ride anyone's coattails.
And, out of left field, how do you know I don't lobby congress for better treatment of veterans? How do you know that I am not a veteran? How do you know that my father and his four brothers aren't veterans? That was just out of nowhere...
As a woman getting a grad degree, I have to take issue with your belief that you lost your job because a "woman" took it. That's a common and absurd line of thinking (that people use with almost any minority group), and a total fallacy. Jobs don't rightfully belong to anyone simply because of their gender or other superficial characteristic. I didn't have to take out any male students to get my placement at this University, I promise.
I genuinely appreciate the sacrifice of ANYONE in the Services that has helped to defend our country, male or female. And I definitely agree with you that they deserve our utmost respect and fair treatment.
Feminism is a scam and a disaster for all concerned. Henry Makow says it best in the following article (check him out at Henrymakow.com)
"by Henry Makow Ph.D.
If a man cannot perform in bed, he is called "impotent." The woman feels unloved and unwanted.
However, outside the bedroom, if a man doesn't demonstrate his power , he is considered "enlightened" and "progressive."
But somewhere in their subconscious, women still feel let down. For centuries, women (and children) have relied on men to help define their lives. Men are failing their families when they buy into egalitarian feminist shibboleths and try to be "nice guys."
Marriage is the exchange of female power for male power expressed as love. Women crave male power because in their minds, it is love.
When a man fails to lead his family, and allows them to manipulate him, women (and children) feel unloved and consequently have less respect and love for him.
The old proverb, "Spare the rod, spoil the child" applies. Women and children feel most secure when husband/ father asserts his just control. It means he loves them. Failure to take charge is interpreted as neglect.
Thus, a man must claim power at the outset, and never let it slip from his grasp. He will be tested. But if I am right, women are testing his love.
This is how women love and what they really want: to be consulted yes, but to surrender to the one man worthy of their sacrifice.
THE HIDDEN AGENDA
.... brainwashed generations of men and women ... think of themselves as equal and identical. (That's you Chris)
Gender, love and indeed sex are largely about power. Men want to possess a woman. Women want to be possessed. But when you equalize power, you neuter both sexes. Men no longer assert their power; women no longer cultivate their charms. The active-passive; yin-yang mainspring of the universe is neutralized. All that is left is sex in an alcoholic stupor.
A recent study showed that a third of young men and a quarter of young women in Europe use alcohol and drugs to have promiscuous sex, many before the age of 16, resulting in unwanted pregnancies and STD's.
In the UK, arrests of young women for being drunk and disorderly have shot up %50. The crime rate is up 25% in the last three years alone.
Women are being left high and dry (or drunk) as men bail on the concept of marriage altogether.
Female sex appeal is a function of their fertility. It will quickly fade, and they will finally realize that a sinister power has subverted our culture and betrayed them. They need to form families when they are young and desirable to men or risk being alone for the rest of their lives.
Young men must again think of themselves primarily as family leaders and builders, and look for a good woman to be wife and mother of their children. They must quickly weed out the damaged women, or find one that is still salvageable. They must test her over time to make sure she is devoted and not only willing but happy to accept their leadership. If she has another big priority, move on.
Men, confine yourself to women who look up to you. If you're looking up to her, the relationship is doomed.
SOCIAL ENGINEERING
By "empowering" women, society is essentially outfitting them with penises. These women have been conditioned to distrust and constantly challenge any man. I have heard stories where husbands and wives fight over the direction they will take on a Sunday afternoon walk.
When my wife and I walk the dog, I decide where we will go. When my wife wants to go in another direction, she will tell me, and usually I will consent to make her happy. She gives me the power; I use it to make her happy, within my limits.
Many men leave their families because they are "married to Mommy" and constantly "walking on eggshells." In practice "equality" for a feminist usually means she's in charge and her husband is her puppet who must love her as she thinks fit. "Equality" means at best she will castrate him; at worst, abuse him.
There are many exceptions to this rule I imagine: couples who think alike and have great "equal" marriages. I haven't met any but I'd like to hear about them.
In a marriage, I believe a woman must chose between power and love. She cannot have both. The role of a wife is to empower her husband so he can love her better as he sees fit. Of course it all depends on a woman finding a man she can trust wholeheartedly.
We must get over the notion that we'll be loved for our looks or personality or talent. These contribute but ultimately men love women who look after them, and vice-versa.
In our intimate relations, men need to project power plain and simple. First men must gain self confidence by realizing personal goals and earning the respect of their fellow males.
Sexual desire makes men overestimate women. We must take sex and beautiful women off the pedestal.
CONCLUSION
Masculinity is defined by power. Men must assert their personal vision and responsible leadership in spite of constant sabotage by the mass media and government. Otherwise women and children will feel betrayed and unloved, become more unmanageable, and trigger family breakdown.
In reality men and women were designed to complement, love and need each other. Gender wars were created by the same people who created all wars....
-----
All those statistics that Mr. Makow throws out are probably due to the fact that those families didn't have a father at home to serve as a role model. It has nothing to do with the thought that some men are not as strong as others.
And his comment..."Men, confine yourself to women who look up to you. If you’re looking up to her, the relationship is doomed." is so far off base. Men and women must respect each other in a way that they constantly uplift and support each other through the trials of life. If we don't respect our wives, then what kind of message does that send to her and to the children in the house.
Henry is 100% correct. If the man is not in charge and looked up to, the marriage is doomed. There cannot be two captains of a ship, there can't be two heads of the family, that is the man's job.
"Young men must ... quickly weed out the damaged women, or find one that is still salvageable."
Did he just call my wife and daughters "damaged" or "salvageable"?
And he even goes as far as contradicting his ENTIRE article with his last two sentences, "In reality men and women were designed to complement, love and need each other. Gender wars were created by the same people who created all wars…."
I really read this article a time or two and tried to find something that I can agree with but after the above comment, I just can't. Besides, Makow is a conspiracy theorist. He believes a satanic cult (Freemasons) is trying to enslave all of mankind and this cult is financed through the London bank system. He believes democracy is a sham. How can you quote this man when he doesn't believe in the very thing you served in the Navy for? Or, did you run across his articles and realize you were fighting for the devil...
I won't turn this into a debate about Mr. Makow and his beliefs or make this any more personal that it has already turned. You got your chance to spread the Makow article and talk about the poor treatment of veterans by the government. Rock on...
TRAINING MANUAL WAR DEPARTMENT, No. 2000-25 WASHINGTON, November 30, 1928.
CITIZENSHIP
Prepared under direction of the
Chief of Staff
This manual superseded Manual of Citizenship Training
The use of this publication “The Constitution of the United States,” By Harry Atwood is by permission and courtesy of the
author.
The source of other references is shown in the bibliography.
(No. 2 fac simile)
TM 2000-25 118-120 CITIZENSHIP
Democracy:
A government of the masses.
Authority derived through mass meeting of any other form of “direct” expression.
Results in mobocracy.
Attitude toward property is communistic-negating property rights.
Attitude toward law is that the will of the majority shall regulate. Whether it be based upon deliberation or governed by passion, prejudice, and impulse, without restraint or regard to consequences.
Results in demagogism, license, agitation, discontent, anarchy.
(No. 3 fac simile)
TM 2000-25 120-121
CITIZENSHIP
Republic:
Authority is derived through the election by the people of public officials best fitted to represent them.
Attitude toward property is respect for laws and individual rights, and a sensible economic procedure.
Attitude toward law is the administration of justice in accord with fixed principles and established evidence, with a strict regard to consequences.
A greater number of citizens and extent of territory may be brought within its compass.
Avoids the dangerous extreme of either tyranny of mobocracy.
Results in statesmanship, liberty, reason, justice, contentment, and progress.
Is the “standard form” of government throughout the world.
A republic is a form of government under a constitution which provides for the election of (1) and executive and (2) a legislative body, who working together in a representative capacity, have all the power of appointment, all power of legislation, all power to raise revenue and appropriate expenditures, and are required to create (3) a judiciary to pass upon the justice and legality of their governmental acts and to recognize (4) certain inherent individual rights.
Take away any one or more of those four elements and you are drifting into autocracy. Add one or more to those four elements and you are drifting into democracy. – Atwood.
So what is Mr. Makow believes the things you mentioned? He has a Phd and I assume he has researched it, which is more than I can say for you. You're throwing out the baby with the bath water.
The government treating vet's poorly? Nope, it's YOU and the rest of America who simply does not care, despite all the platutudes you and your ilk mouth off about all the time. Billions of dollars could be diverted from unnecessary nonsense and foreign aid to help disabled vets like me out, but the american people simply do not care enough to make it happen, period. If that's the case, we should not maintain a military at all.
All the real men out there who love their wives, their children, and think it's a good thing to treat women with respect, raise their hands.
*raises hand*
You claim to be a "strong" man, but clearly you've got quite a bit of bitterness towards women, and in that way, they control you anyway. Bet that gets under your skin, huh? Go ahead, deny it. Or call me some names.
You're not converting anyone here to your twisted worldview so take it elsewhere, please.
@Leo,
Great article.
I am so proud that my five nephews are all fully capable of taking care of their children as my three nieces are. My mom constantly marvels "Jim took the baby out shopping by himself!" and "Cam changed diapers while everyone was over here for the BBQ!" I sense she is a bit jealous because she never had that help from my dad with me and my four sibs.
I would just like to reiterate my point to respect the mother of your children at all times. The reason doesn't have to do with how much she deserves said respect (more on that in a couple paragraphs) but more with how you're raising you're children, by example. If you treat their mother disrespectfully, your children will learn from that. They won't understand any of the issues you're talking about ... all they'll learn is what you're doing. And your son(s) will grow up to treat women disrespectfully, and frankly will have many problems as an adult, in maintaining relationships. Your daughter(s) will fare even worse: they'll begin to think that it's OK for a man to treat them with disrespect, and will have relationships with men who treat them this way. Regardless of whether your daughters deserve respect or not ... they will think they don't, because of your actions.
The solution to these potential problems is simple: treat all people, including their mother, with respect. It's a life lesson that will carry on for them forever.
And as to the issue of whether the mother deserves respect ... treat people with respect, and in general they will treat you the same way. If your wife treats you badly, and you respond by treating her badly, you are just as much a part of the problem as she is. End this senseless cycle of disrespect by being the better person, and rising above arguments and disputes. Treat her with respect, unfailingly. Eventually she will do the same ... or she's not worth being in a relationship with ... in which case, staying in the relationship and treating her badly is a mistake and not good for anyone. End the relationship (if you can't get it to improve) but still treat her with respect as you do so.
I think that fathers should be just as involved as you say. I am totally a girly girl submisive wife type. But when we decided to have 6 kids I knew I could not do it alone.
I am proud of the fact that my husband is an equal in the knowledge of how our home and children carry on.
For instance this last weekend I went away for the day on a church womens hike. People were "shocked" I left my kids.. all 6 even the baby at home with him.
I didn't even bat an eyelash at this, yet others couldn't fathom that he was more than able to handle it.
On the other hand no one questions my daily handling of all 6 of them alone.
I think its a sad day that people are shocked at the fact that a father can handle his kids (Gasp) all by himself. Or that this in some way makes him less manly.
Again thanks for the article, its a nice reminder and a helpful list for the moms too!
Dumbdad: "Well, i can't go out tonight cause I'm babysitting my kids"
Me: " No sweat, We'll catch up later. Remember the going rate for sitting is $3.50 per kid per hour"
Somewhere around the birth of our fourth, i just began to call them on the carpet:
Dumbdad: "Well, i can't go out tonight cause I'm babysitting my kids"
Me: "Dude, babysitting is what 13 year old girls do for their neighbors. What you're doing tonight is callled 'Being a Father' Don't call it that.
Just my unsolicited opinion...
I would really like to talk to the people under his "control" and get their view - WITHOUT Glenn in the room or anywhere near...
nuff said.
Sorry for any spelling errors or grammar errors. I am Norwegian.
I didn't say this the first time, but great article, Leo! Love your site, too.
My husband was raised to believe that there's no such thing as gender based work - just work that true partners share. And before you get started, Glen, you should know that he also served for over twenty years (sorry you could only hack 13) and has a 30% disability from Desert Storm. As the total opposite of my father, he is the most honest man I have ever known and has always taken complete personal responsibility for his actions. He has been every bit as good at parenting - he just does it differently. Pay attention guys - you don't have to parent the same way your wife does - you're a different person and will always do things differently. Your children, like ours, will not care about the differences, they will only care that you stuck around and stayed involved. The fact that my husband can stand next to me (one of those scary liberal feminists) as a partner and still be the manliest man I have ever known only points to the differences between him and the "men" who can't. A real man is manly because of the way he cares for those around him and his personal integrity - manliness has absolutely nothing to do with dominance over women and children. Trying to grab and maintain that kind of dominance only shows the opposite of true manliness. I'm very, very glad that my husband is a man and that after 23 years he is still the sexiest guy I know but my respect for him has nothing to do with his gender and everything to do with his character.
I read this wonderful post and thought the suggestions were great. Too bad one person in the comments section really has a hate on for women. I am a divorced mom of 4 children and I would have LOVED my husband to have followed even one of these suggestions. Believe me it was not for trying to encourage him (do not read nagging!). I definitely believe that if both parents are going to work, then both parents will have to help with parenting. I also liked the comment about "babysitting" too. Fathers don't babysit their children - they are being fathers!
It's my feeling that the women's movement while helping women by opening more professions and improving workplace laws etc has also done some harm to women (and men). It's harder for women to stay home and be moms if that is their choice for one thing. I'm also not a supporter of the "right" to abortion either.
BTW, before my marriage I worked as a geologist (a very male-dominated profession) and most men treated me with respect, because I treated them with respect. There were the few nasty, crude men. I simply ignored them!
Great article, good advice, and sound reasoning.
Glenn, your desire for attention from strangers should be a great cause for concern to your therapist. I cannot help but add to the chorus of abuse heaped upon you from the well-balanced among the readers. Savor the flavor of invited criticism. Enjoy your lifetime of loneliness.
Kudos to those listening and applying these suggestions.
Good Dads and Moms rule.
Thanks for the article, I have informed my son, nephew, and a couple cousins about your site.
The only thing I would add to the list would be;
19. It's okay to goof up, just don't make a habit of it.
@Glen,
You might benefit from reading "God Wants You Dead", It is a provocative title to a book that has many interesting ideas about memes - discreet ideas. When you jumble ideas together and don't examine them critically, you become the biggest loser - your solidified thinking prevents communication with people that have a different point of view.
Holding on to an idea unquestioningly is a situation that I call being infected by a mind virus - a situation that is harder to fix than a common cold. A symptom of this is insulting others for their perceived lack of intelligence, etc.
I have read articles by Henry Makow and agree that he does have some valid points. However, I use them as a starting point for my own analysis.
Trying to convince others that your point of view is correct is a waste a time. Part of this waste is your energy and "brain cycles" (opportunities to think constructively on how to improve your well-being).
Remember: arguing with an idiot only leaves two idiots - no improved outcome can be achieved.
From personal experience in a combat role with women, I can tell you that there is no reason for any doubt as to whether a woman can do her job as she is trained to do it, as well as, and in some instances better than men.
On another note 13yrs does not add up, an enlistment is either 4 or 6 years, just recently it has been offered to take a shorter enlistment in the Army. WHich means you were either kicked out or got injured, but if you did get injured then your VA would have been put on the fast track due to the loss of your ability to keep your career.
On a more personal note, my wife is a peace officer, and I support her in that pursuit, she has the constant harrassment of people like you but she is able to rise above it. I applaud her and am happy when she gets promoted over some ignorant, sexist guy.
In my opinion there is no place in this world for this behaviour, you are a detriment to the human race. However I do see that I can be farely certain that, since you hate women so much, you will have a difficult time adding those ideas the gene pool.
@Leo
Great Article, sorry i had to add that, sometimes people using the military thing irks me off, especially when they are slanderizing the exact beliefs I fight for.
Good God man!
Just go away.
Great list and thanks for it.
Remember the nice list, Glenny?
Jerk.
My father was in his 40's when he and my mom had me. I'm now turning 20 this year, and I try to behave well, and I am looking forward to the time I have a child of my own, and I hope that kid turns out well. I became the well-rounded man I am today because my father was there when my mother couldn't be.
As for that guy, Glenn... I'm very sorry you're stuck with an old, hateful mentality. Traditional marriages are fine, I think. If a woman likes to stay home, I have no qualms with that decision, but she should be respected just as well. After all, if we all chose to disrespect women, how can we feel we're fit to carry on the human race? To disrespect all women is to disrespect your wife, your children, and your future. That's simply foolish.
Also, women are quite capable of armed war-time combat. It doesn't require the same strength as melee combat for the most part, and women should never be underestimated in that or anything else. Women are quite capable of being just as strong, if not stronger than men (they deal with the pain of child birth, which I could never imagine living through). I still think they should be respected, protected, and loved.