What does it mean to be a father?

 This week I learned what it means to take care and provide for your family, what may usually be the role of the father. I read an article of what it meant to be a father and it was interesting, some things I agree with, but some things I may disagree with as well. The article was Dad vs. Father: what's the difference and why should you care?, by Daniel Ruyter, and the article's main point discussed whats the difference between the definition of being a biological dad, and someone who is there for child, someone who provides for them, loves them, cares for them, helps them grow. He brings up how many fathers in america will be the biological father, but are out the door or are not caring in the way it is to be a dad. He was a single dad with 2 boys, and he did more caring than a father who left who may have 5 children. The top 5 takeaways I would get from this article is, be a caring dad not just a father, dad and father have two different meanings, the term dad has a lot of meaning itself vs father, mothers have more say in the courts when it comes to the child's rights than the dad, and then last dads are seen as second class parents.

Being a caring dad and not just a father is pretty straight to the point. Many fathers are even supporting their children, but have no connection and see them as a social statement for how others may view their family. Another point is you do not have to be the biological parent to be the dad. You can be more caring to the child than the actual father.

Dad and father have two different meanings. Father means someone who is biologically the male parent of someone, but a dad could be the father, but also not biologically. Dad is someone who is there in their children's life.

The word dad has a lot of meaning. Unlike a father, it is one you have to earn. I can call someone my father and it's not a big deal, but calling someone dad has a lot more relationship to it.

Now, he also says that mothers have more power in courts and he says it should be 50/50. I'm not a dad and have never been in that situation, but i'm actually on the mom's side on this one. Having parents that have divorced I would say my mom was more willing to do the more parenting of the load and taking the kids. Mothers also may not make as much money so it will be harder for them as well, and many children need that mothers love in their life.

Last he says dads are seen as second class parents, and this I agree with the most. In our societies dad's in tv shows our always the dumb ones while the moms are the smart ones. (most of the time if they both aren't dumb.) Dads don't get any respect for being the bread winner of the family and are told they aren't needed anymore. This will hurt our future generations for not having a strong father figure in the home.

Now my dad has been caring. Near the end of my teen age years he had given up and stopped tying, especially after my parents divorce and I can't say he has been there as much as I may have wanted him to be. He still beats many other fathers who have walked out in their child's life completely. My dad is still supportive, but somewhat has lost that dad connection we may have had so many years ago.

Work Cited:

Dad vs. Father: what's the difference and why should you care? DanielRuyter.com, by Daniel Ruyter