Words of Wisdom from SharLeigh

THE EVER-CHANGING
ROLE OF FATHERHOOD

Looking back over the last 80 years, the “role” of a father has drastically changed. After WWI there was a huge immigration. Many of those fathers were coming to a new land (USA), not able to speak the language, but still responsible for supporting a family. Most immigrants were employed in factories or as farm laborers. It was a 12-hour day and a 6-day work week. Their job was to keep the food on the table and a roof over the family’s head. In those days, the families were large and the wages were small. The 1930s ushered in the Great Depression. Men that had worked hard and sheltered their families were now facing total ruin. Not only did they lose their jobs, but they lost all of their savings. It was a grim time to be a father; having to watch your children go without food and clothes, hoping to find enough work for shelter. In the 1940s, many of the fathers enlisted in the military and were shipped overseas to fight for the world’s freedom in WWII. Most of them came home to meet children they had only read about in letters. It was a time of great adjustment; getting back into the mainstream of life and, again, being the sole supporter of a family. The fathers of the 1960s saw a nation change – leaders were assassinated and unpopular wars divided the country – and yet the nation held together. It was the father’s job to hold the family together as things changed at a rapid speed. Yet through those times, fathers were the boss – what they said was law! Then things really began to change in the 1970s and 1980s. Because of rising costs, mothers joined the work force. It was no longer a one-income family, but now a two-income family. This extra income allowed fathers to have more time with the children. The responsibility of chores and bills were now shared in the household. Inflation and recession in the 1990s made it almost impossible for a one-income family to survive. Many fathers began to take on more household duties – some even started working from home and became “Mr. Mom” dads. With men being more flexible in their working hours and sharing the responsibilities of the children, they are now able to enjoy their kids more and watch them grow up. Yes, times have changed, but fathers have always brought balance and security to a family. The family may now share more equally in the household income and chores, but fathers still remain the backbone of the family. No one ever said being a father was easy, but no matter how hard the job or the sacrifice, it was always done with love. Enjoy this Father’s Day and take pride in the role you, your father and grandfather had in shaping your family!

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