The Fathers, The Finances and The Family

A father plays a crucial role in the development and well-being of a family. While both parents are important, fathers provide a unique set of benefits that are essential for a child's growth and development. As a father myself, I can see that my child has a different relationship with me than with his mother despite being treated the same by both of us.

One of the primary roles of a father is to provide emotional support and guidance to his children. Fathers can offer a different perspective on life than mothers, often encouraging their children to take risks and explore new opportunities. This can help children develop a sense of confidence and self-esteem, which are crucial for success in life. Understanding the role of the father in the family and how impactful it can be for the children provides a bigger vision of my responsibilities and challenges. The effect that a present and active father has on the lives and character of children is incredible.

Fathers play a critical role in the development of their children's social and cognitive skills. Studies have shown that children who have positive relationships with their fathers are more likely to have higher academic achievement, better social skills, and greater emotional regulation than those who do not.

The Lord also expects so much from fathers as well. We believe that “by divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families”.

From all the reasons above, we can see the importance of a nuclear family with each parent taking a unique and important role. However, changes to the social structure of the family emerged with the rise of the equality movement. While I am supportive of the movement, it is apparent that the value of each parent has become distorted. Nowadays, fathers are often considered less important, and mothers are undervalued if they do not meet certain criteria of a "successful woman."

Success is often measured in today's society, by financial wealth rather than personal accomplishments. While some argue that women need to work to supplement the family's income, research shows that relying on a second income can actually end up costing the family more than it provides. Without a stay-at-home parent to take care of household tasks and children, families must pay for services such as daycare and housekeeping. In addition, the costs of transportation, convenience meals, and other expenses related to two working parents can quickly add up and ultimately result in less real income than a single-income household with a homemaker. That is why it is important to consider the hidden costs of a dual-income household before assuming it is the best financial decision for the family.

Even more important, the increased demands of work from both parents can lead to less time spent with children, which can impact their development and well-being. This can be particularly challenging for working parents who may feel guilty about not being able to spend as much time with their children as they would like.

Deciding on being a dual-income household or having a full-time stay-at-home mom was a complicated decision but based on the research, the information from the readings, and what we learned in class, we have more knowledge to make this difficult choice, especially since learning about the benefits of having a mother to teach and nurture the children.