|
|
|
Fathers
Can Raise Children of Character
By Prof Paul Moreno
What makes
successful fathers?
For the last twenty-five years, James B. Stenson
of Chestnut Hill has seen that most social
problems derive from the weakness or absence
of fathers. He has written a small book, Successful
Fathers, to show how fathers can mold their
children's character.
He draws upon his twenty-year experience as
a teacher and school administrator and his
encounters with teachers, clergy and counselors.
"Fathers and mothers today, isolated
as they are from their own parents and extended
family, need as much experienced advice as
they can get. Parents throughout history have
always needed such advice. In our own era,
however, they have to work harder to get it."
|
|
 |
| |
Successful
Fathers: The Subtle But Powerful Ways Fathers
Mold Their Children's Character
By James B. Stenson
Scepter Publishers
www.scepterpublishers.org
(800) 322-8773 |
Stenson discussed
the complementary roles of mother and father at different
ages in children's lives. They occupy distinct spheres
but share a common goal: To develop character. The
definition of character is the integration of the
Christian virtues of faith, hope and charity with
the classical virtues of fortitude, justice, prudence
and temperance.
Children learn these from their parents. Without them,
they suffer from self-centered, self-indulgent immaturity.
Children, especially adolescents, want to know what
the boundaries are. Fathers are especially important
in the development of conscience in children.
Stenson explains what has happened to the family in
modern times that has weakened the role of the father.
Traditionally, the home was an economic unit to which
the children contributed as soon as they were able.
Children were closer to adults and the world of work,
and learned what adult life was like from them. In
a simpler economy, families were more concerned about
religious and character formation than about career
preparation. Modern, urban, industrial life removed
fathers from the home and introduced new media-especially
public education and television-in his place. Often
these media undermined the virtues that were inculcated
in the traditional family.
Today, it is difficult for parents to do what traditional
families did. This is partly the result of our incredibly
prosperous economic system. Children no longer see
their fathers work-they only spend leisure time together,
as consumers rather than as producers.
Children do not see adult life and character first-hand.
The adults that they do see are athletes and entertainers,
who give them a fantastic and illusory view of adult
life. Our society no longer effectively raises children
into adult life. Instead, adults have been brought
into the adolescent world of consumer culture.
"Professionals who work with troubled adolescents
and young adults have long noted a striking trait
that these young people have in common: They know
very little about their fathers, and they have little
or no respect for them. During their formative years,
apparently their fathers never played a serious role
in their moral development.
The decline in status of the traditional father also
causes children's religious life to decline. A father's
religious observance is the most important factor
in determining whether a child will be religious.
If they do not recognize the authority of God, materialism
is the alternative that contemporary culture provides.
You can read more at James Stenson's website at www.parentleadership.com.
|
|
