importance of fathers in the home
Importance of fathers in the home is vital to understanding the roles they play and the contribution they give to their children. So much is missed when they are not present within the home.
As you know, many families, both Christian and non-Christian, have no full-time dads in the home. If they are present, they may have jobs that take them far and wide, or serving in various military capacities, or perhaps they do not feel valued or needed in the lives of their families and decide to leave for good (or only come around on holidays and/or birthdays); nor do some of them ever contribute in any way to the finances, or in the care of their family and home.
What has become of the men in our families? Why are so many of them missing in our hearts and lives? Fathers need their children, and their children surely need them. There are some women in families who feel they can do just fine without a man's presence in the home, but then again, they cannot fulfill the fatherly-patriarchal role that only a man and father can fulfill in his house.
importance of fathers world-wide and its impact upon the family
This really is a sad, but true picture of what is happening to our families today, and has become a reality for so many households. According to statistics from the work of nationsencyclopedia.com, " Tracking from the 1990's to the present time, the percentages of female-headed households are huge around the world, with the largest percentages being represented in parts of Russia, The Ukraine, mostly all of the continents of Africa, South and Central America, as well as in parts of East Asia."
Furthermore, according to www.fathers.com, " The extent of fatherlessness is that (1) An estimated 24.7 million children (33%) live absent their biological father; (2) Of students in grades 1-12, 39 percent (17.7 million) live in homes absent their biological fathers, and (3) 57.6% of black children, 31.2% of Hispanic children, and 20.7% of white children are living absent their biological fathers." Wow! What horrible statistics!
This is true evidence that there is a gigantic problem here! As you can see, the absence of fathers in our homes contribute largely to the breakdown of the family unit today, and will continue to do so in the future as our world's system is orchestrated by the Prince of Darkness, namely, Satan! The nuclear family, as a complete and functional unit, is of no importance to him. He could care less.
Much of the impact of having no or few fathers in the home are results of the following:
- Single women and mothers have to fend for themselves and for their children thereby giving them very few options of finding food, shelter, transportation, clothing, school supplies, and other basic necessities to live on. They may then have to apply for WIC, Food Stamps, Welfare, Housing, or other government help/benefits. The main importance for them in this case just boils down to putting food on the table, putting roof over their heads, and clothes on their backs. All other things will have to take a back burner until the main necessities are covered. Many times the quality of life is minimal when there is no father around to help take care of things.
- Female-headed households usually drive single women and mothers out into the workforce, sometimes at a very young age. This is one of the reasons of the importance of fathers being in the home too, in that the man traditionally has been responsible for going out to work to provide for his family's needs.
- Children do not benefit from having their dads around and therefore are without the masculine influence that is needed among their children for their proper growth and development. Boys learn from their fathers how to be responsible and reliable men, who protect and provide for their family and home. Girls learn from their fathers what it is to help, respect, love, and honor them in their capacities as the natural leader and head of the family unit.
- The family unit may suffer from the lack of leadership and guidance in the home, especially from the male's point of view, as they bring about strength and stability within their household.
importance of bringing our fathers (and our men) back into the home and keeping them there
This is the ideal for the Christian home, especially; and for that matter, even non-Christian homes. We must look at the importance of fathers within our society and figure out what can be done to bring our men and fathers back to the home front once again, to stay. Why do you suppose our men stay away, or decide they don't want the stress of protecting or providing for their families any longer? Here are a few reasons some men may stay away, or do not engage very much with their spouses or children:
- Some fathers are servicemen, and are serving in our military for long spans of time. They may find it hard to come home, even if they so desire due to top commands of remaining at their post due to military demands. Some do come home hurt, injured, maimed, or emotionally affected in some way by the horrors of war and fightings. Some never come home and are killed in the line of duty; some come back with promises of employment but do not receive it; many have to rely on government help, insurance, and family services to aid them when they return home. There are various situations here. These men should be honored, respected, and well-received back into the family home as the heroes they truly are!
- Some fathers have work that takes them far and wide, into other cities or countries. Perhaps the nature of their work requires that they travel often (ex. traveling salesman, long distance truck driver, etc.) They get back home whenever they are finished with one job/project, and then come home to regroup, then go out again!
- Some fathers are heavy into drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex (prostitution), or gangs, and truly are not concerned much about their families. They spend all their money and time on the streets, looking for the next fix or fight. In these cases, the importance here is helping them get past their demons, and through their trials. They need more than just your understanding, they need constant prayer and professional intervention as well.
- Some fathers feel the heavy pressure of life in regards to their work, health, family finances, and/or other stresses which plague them, creating depression and oppression in their lives. In this case they are bogged down with destructive thoughts of themselves and do not become very engaged in family life. If they do, it may only be for a short time to please the wife and kids; then it's back on to thoughts of themselves and their own miseries, and lastly...
- Some fathers do not want to be around a home where there is constant yelling, criticisms, distention, fighting, or other bad behaviors surrounding him from the wife and/or kids. He wants to come home to a peaceful house and atmosphere, as we all do. He may stay away or gone from the home for hours on end, just to not have to listen to or deal with this kind of negativity. Perhaps he feels that he has no value or importance to his family, in which case he may seek out other diversions to make him feel wanted, needed, and valued. There are many times where this could lead to outside affairs in the marriage.
The importance of fathers being around is vital in the work and care of our wives, as well as in the raising up of our sons and daughters. Here are a few suggestions on how we, the society as a whole, and as followers of Christ, can urge more men and dads to come back into the home or stay home, and to engage more within the family unit:
- Show them how grateful you are for all they do in the home; for working so hard for the family; for taking time and attention to details of the home; for providing and protecting the family unit. Men want to know they are being appreciated in all they do for you, the kids, the church, and community.
- Take the time to listen, and to obey the husband's (fathers's) wishes with respect, humbleness, and submission of you and of the children. This is of great importance to fathers in knowing their requests are being heard and acted upon (as long as they are not requesting something of you that is illegal, unethical, immoral, or downright sinful).
- Bring intervention of Christian counseling services into the home (aka: pastors, or other Christian male leaders or role models.) There are times when professional family advice is needed to keep chaos out and family order back into the home front.
- Attend church and family worship services every week, along with having daily devotions and Bible study outside and inside the home. Participating in these activities together as a family unit strengthens the unit itself from evil influences and outside temptations that come in to destroy the home.
- Men, fathers, and/or male leaders of the home can benefit many times from attending Christian male leadership seminars/church events that are geared to helping those men who are in need of spiritual guidance and inspiration in learning how to be Christian role models and leaders within the workplace and home life.
- Do not engage in putting the man/father down, or, in being critical of every move he makes, whether it be about work, home, family, or personal issues. The fact is, he is there because he wants to be there with you and the kids. Be all about building him up, making him look and feel good. Be his number one fan club! He will definitely stick around for that. Finally,
- Be in constant prayer for the men in your home. Whether it be for the fathers, brothers, or sons within your household, they all need the hand of God present upon them when they leave that home to go to the outside world. Satan is also tempting them, to lead them into his destructive forces, but with continual prayer and supplication to God, He will see to it that they are protected and are lead by Him.
importance of fathers according to the bible
Throughout the pages of Scripture, God has shown us the high importance and value of how men, women, and children are to think and behave as followers of Christ, as well as what their various roles are in portraying them within the Christian home.
Our world's system would have us to do it their way, but God's way is the best way. He knew exactly what would happen if we changed it around, or allowed it to become distorted to fit our own agendas. Society as a whole wants to tear down the nuclear family as it once used to be. Importance has been placed more on what feels good for each family, instead of what is righteous in God's eyes.
Yes, it's true that there are situations in which the wives or women in the home are put into the position of being the head over their households. And, although women can and have done much in working and caring for their families in many of the same ways as men do, there is still that need for the presence of a manly father figure in the home. His non-presence is very noticeable, and a sad one for many families of today.
Here are a few passages of Scripture that emphasize man's leadership and value, as well as the importance of fathers and their roles within the Christian home:
- 1 Corinthians 11:1-3; 7-12, Paul wrote, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them unto you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, for as much as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God." (This verse greatly shows the importance of each sex towards the other.)
- 1 Timothy 2:8-15 instructs us, "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Not withstanding, she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."
- Genesis 3:16, God said, "Unto the woman He said, 'I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." Finally,
- 1 Timothy 3:4-5 tells us, "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)"
In closing, we find that there is indeed a great importance of having our fathers at home, and that of having daily interaction with their wives and children as well.
When we give our dads the respect, honor, love, and attention they so truly deserve within the home, then it is easy to see why they would want to remain there, gracing our lives with their godly knowledge, wisdom, power, strength, influence, and leadership.
God bless our fathers!
Related Articles:
Chaos Within The Home And Family Unit
Family Parenting: Instilling Principles And Values In Your Children For Life
Fatherhood: Bringing Stability Into The Family Unit
Marriage In The Christian Home