“What Type of Father Are You”?
It has been said that there are 3 types of fathers:
The 1st father
The 1st father tells his son:
“I want you to follow after me. You are young and inexperienced, so you would be wise to learn from me as I have seen much and can lead you in the right direction.”
The 2nd father
The 2nd father tells his son:
“Let’s walk side by side, hand in hand, together. I don’t feel it’s right for me to tell you how to live but I will always be by your side and help you when things are difficult.”
The 3rd father
The 3rd father tells his son:
“I want you to lead and I will follow. I believe in you even more than you believe in yourself and therefore I trust you to lead the way.”
As opposed to claiming that one of these models of fatherhood is best, I would like to suggest that each ‘father’ is needed at different times in his son’s life. There is a time when a father has to lead his son. For example, when a child is young, a father sets an example by modeling and instructing him in behaviors that he would like his son to emulate. There is a time when a father walks together with his son. For example, providing his son the space he needs during the teenage years, he becomes more of a guide and resource than a director and leader. However, the 3rd father must always be present; a father must constantly believe in his son.
