There was a time when parents were honored and respected in our culture. Most families had mother-father units. Public schools operated in loco parentis, representing the will of parents.
In 2021, that is no longer the case. An estimated 33 percent of American households have no biological father present. “Professional” educators throw roadblocks at parents’ choosing their children’s schools and often view it as their role—as one educator claimed—“to ensure children don’t pass on their parents’ prejudices.”
Men and fathers in particular have been under assault for decades.
Hollywood scoffs at a program like yesteryear’s Father Knows Best (even when the title was intentionally ironic). Pop culture portrays fathers as the lowest form of life with characters like Frank (on the Showtime series Shameless), Homer Simpson, Archie Bunker, and even Darth Vader. Even America’s Founding Fathers are vilified in classrooms today.
It shouldn’t and needn’t be so. Scripture teaches us of the crucial role fathers have. The stories of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph underscore how an engaged and mindful father can positively shape his descendants for generations to come—not to mention the perfect Father, God Himself!
In her confirmation hearing, new Supreme Court justice Amy Coney Barrett remembered her father’s invaluable encouragement: “I remember preparing for a grade-school spelling bee against a boy in my class. To boost my confidence, Dad sang, ‘Anything boys can do, girls can do better.’ At least as I remember it, I spelled my way to victory.”
Maureen Reagan, daughter of President Reagan, wrote in her book First Father, First Daughter about the laughing and loving side of her father and the time they spent together talking about life.
Michael Reagan could say a lot about his dad. Ronald Reagan won the Cold War, restored the American economy, and won all four of his general elections in landslides. But Michael’s first go-to story, always told with emotion and enthusiasm, was of one-on-one conversations while driving to his father’s ranch when Michael was young.
On one of these occasions, Michael once asked his dad for a larger allowance to match his friends’ allowances. The future president explained how the 91 percent marginal federal tax rate limited what their family had to spend, but promised an increased allowance when taxes were finally reduced. When JFK’s tax cut passed in 1964, Michael received his increase—with an important lesson learned. Better for children to learn from their dad than a Marxist professor what high taxes really mean.
The fondness and appreciation of Maureen and Michael Reagan for their father reveal how much children remember advice from their dads.
In her autobiography, Margaret Thatcher noted how fortunate she was to have so much time working with her father in the family grocery business. Her dad was a model of honesty, hard work, and faith.
Thatcher wrote how she tried to get out of something her father wanted her to do by arguing that all her other friends were doing something else. Her father said, “Never do things just because other people do them.” That was one of his favorite expressions. Thatcher wrote, “Whatever I felt at the time, the sentiment stood me in good stead.”
Jack Kemp, an MVP quarterback, union leader, congressman, and cabinet member used dinnertime to teach his children his values. His daughter Jennifer said, “The conversation just kind of flowed.” When his children eulogized him, it was the conversations about his faith and love of competition and sports that they remembered most fondly.
My own professional career has been as an educator, a lawyer, and a leader of a women’s organization. However, as I wrote How to Raise a Conservative Daughter, I realized what a crucial role fathers must play to increase their daughters’ chances of success in life.
When dads show girls tenderness, gentle discipline, and loving approval, they create confident and courageous daughters.
My dad was a model of conservative values and loved to teach. He ran the business side of a large foundation, served in the Naval Reserve, and went to NYU at night to study for an MBA and Ph.D., all while providing for our family.
Every morning when we would leave the house, he did not say, “Have a nice day,” or “Be careful children.” He said, “Get in there and fight,” coaching us that life is a looming battle to be faced and fought. He instilled in us that relentless effort was rewarded in life—and he was right.
If fathers fail to share their values, then children will get their values from some far-left teacher, ethically corrupt Hollywood character, or morally fluid social media influencer instead. Someone else will fill the voids you leave in your children’s lives.
It is my hope that dads will sharpen their skills at passing on their faith, principles, and commitment to their children.
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Michelle Easton is the author of How to Raise a Conservative Daughter (Regnery Publishing, July 6, 2021) and is the president of the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women.