A Winning Score For Fathers
I could be wrong (it happens, perhaps once every ice age) but it seems fewer businesses are twisting themselves into the pretzels than last year to trumpet their fealty to Pride Month. Perhaps they fear killing shareholder value, market share, and customer loyalty a la Disney, Target, and Bud Light. Or is it something else?
Is there anything else going on that could be competing for people’s attention? Wars? Presidential politics? Court room dramas? College tent cities? Swifties mortgaging their homes to buy a ticket?
Or could it be that one day tucked in the middle of the month on which we reward dad with a tie or aftershave is gaining in prominence? Is June affording fathers a bit more attention? As we sort through what’s most important, are we moving towards Fatherhood getting a whole month? Or maybe its own flag?!
Hardly. NBC has developed a special on Queer Animals. The Navy Seals are under fire for their June pride post. A Guinness world record was just set with over two hundred drag queens doing a children’s book reading at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. And the New Jersey legislature is poised to pass a law that gives teachers and librarians, not parents, sole discretion over what kids are to read, and legal immunity from any charges of pushing kiddie porn on youngsters.
Does anyone care about fathers in June? It’s hard to be hopeful.
Fortunately, we see some outward signs that Fatherhood is not ready for the trash heap just yet.
Take a look.
Hero? A few months ago, we saw Harrison Butker nail four field goals including a Super Bowl record 57-yarder in a 25-22 overtime victory over the 49ers. The kicker was the roundly applauded across the world, except in San Francisco.
Goat? Then Butker gave the commencement address at Benedictine College, a liberal arts institution in Kansas. He received a standing ovation from the grads, and opprobrium from the media, celebrities, and others because of his views on religion, DEI, traditional marriage, and other landmine topics. In the resulting firestorm, we have heard applause from some circles for his courage and demands that he be fired from others for holding the misperception that freedom of speech applies to religious conservatives.
Unfortunately, his views on fatherhood have received scant attention, which is a pity, as I have long believed that the importance of fathers is a topic that should unite us, regardless of religion, gender, age, race or politics. In an uber-divided country, perhaps this is the only such topic. See if you agree:
To the gentlemen here today, part of what plagues our society is this lie that has been told to you that men are not necessary in the home or in our communities. As men we set the tone of the culture, and when that is absent, dysfunction, disorder and chaos set in. This absence of men in the home is what plays a large role in the violence we see all around the nation. Other countries do not have nearly the same absent father rates as what we have here in the U.S. and a correlation can be made in their drastically lower violence rates as well.
He nails it, doesn’t he?
Fatherhood Outscores Beerdrinking
Jason Kelce, All-Pro Eagles center and first team beer-drinking grizzly bear, had some touching (and sober and tearful) remarks in his recent retirement address on the importance of his father in his life and the critical roles that all fathers play.
Here’s an excerpt:
“I think one of the best things a person can be in this world is a father. A father who is present, loving, devoted just might be the greatest gift a child could ask for in our society.”
Give a listen to the whole thing.
Note to Roger Goddell and Troy Vincent: How about “FATHERHOOD” adorning the back of helmets this year?
In Closing…
As we approach Father’s Day, let’s think about the importance of fathers and the roles they play – provider, protector, coach – in the lives of their kids, families, and communities. And let’s look for examples of how fathers ARE speaking out in defense of fatherhood with eloquence and strength. I’ll have some samples in my next missive.
Till next time,
Bill
