Today is father's day and all and seeing all the updates on twitter and facebook got me thinking about the term "father" and how much discussion there is to be had about the topic.
What makes a "father?" Biology? Responsibility? Stability? Morality?
What responsibilities do you think a father should have?
What rights does a biological father have? A father-figure?
Do we need fathers?
What can a father do that a mother can't?
According to what the responsibilities of a father is, does that person have to be a male?
Are there obligations that are race specific?
I'm interested in hearing what other people think about the subject and getting a dialogue going.Some of my answers/thoughts about it.
To start, I think that strong father figures aren't completely necessary in the raising of children and that the emphasis of the father figures necessity can be attributed to socialization into patriarchy. My thoughts have also probably developed because of my closeness with my mother and not my father. I think that sometimes this emphasis on father figures adds to the detriment some children face when they don't have a father. Everyone is shoving "you need a father to be happy" in their face, when they could probably be just as happy without one.
I'm not sure what makes a father.
Technically biology makes a father. but when it comes to parenting, I don't think I can say what specific responsibilities or obligations there are in being a "father." I suppose any man raising a child can be considered a father, but "raising a child" can be very vague and varies from family to family. To some this may mean financial stability, to others emotional comfort. I think doing the best you can do would constitute being a father. Just trying at least.
I don't think there's anything a father can do that a mother can't do, thus the reason I don't see the necessity. In my mind, what separates a father from a mother is are reproductive organs. I think the role of "parent" is more significant than the gendered roles of "father" and "mother" that help reinforce gender stereotypes that many people assume are natural. Father = masculine, strong, breadwinner. Mother = feminine, homemaker, mild. bleh. I think these definitions are changing, but I don't think we need to define parenting by sex, especially with the rise of unconventional families and changing definitions of gender roles in general.
I also think that many people's definitions of masculinity and fatherhood will be very closely tied.
I think if you break down the preconceived notions of gender, family and parenting, the specific significance of "father" is lessened. To me at least. I think the idea of father/mother is nice, but not applicable to everyone.
I applaud the males out there doing the most they can to raise their children and to you,
Happy male parent day. :)
so I've said my part. Please post your thoughts/comments about it. I'd love to read what you think.
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