You have likely heard the question, “Where have all the good men gone?” Perhaps you have even uttered those words yourself.
Well, apparently they exist. Just check out their website, “The Good Men Project.”
They recently published an article, “25 Failsafe Rules for Dads Raising Daughters.” I forwarded this onto my husband and suggest you do the same, unless you are a dad who happens to be reading this blog.
Coming from the perspective of a teen, I want to focus on a couple of these rules. The first is the #1 rule listed: “Tell her she’s pretty, but tell her other goods about herself more.”
All girls like to hear they are pretty. As a teen, this remains true. However, the focus shouldn’t just be on their looks. They get enough of that amongst peers and the media.
The truth is that teen girls need to hear about all of their positive attributes. They need to know
that there is more to them than just their looks. This is especially powerful when it comes from a male.
Number 10 on the list is: “Teach her that she has power over her own body and sexuality.” Not only can this help protect her as a young girl from someone inappropriately touching her, it can send an important message as a teen.
Teens often feel that they have to go along with the crowd. They don’t want to be “square,” or whatever the current word is today.
Mothers can help in this department but again, the message becomes even more powerful when they hear it from a male. Fathers can help teen girls feel equipped to say no.
I think that too many dads feel like they have lost all influence over their daughter’s lives once they become teenagers. But they really do continue to play a powerful role.
As moms we can help in this department. We have to make sure we aren’t contributing to the dads feeling this way.
Dad…you play an important role in your daughter’s life and you have so much more influence than you realize. Make the most of it.
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