Boys and Their Fathers

• Fathers play a unique role in the lives of boys and are particularly important in the development of future success.
• In a twenty-seven year study of children, the single most important indicator of a child’s future income was father attendance at PTA meetings.
• Children whose fathers are both emotionally close and highly involved are more likely to go to college and get advanced degrees.
• Research shows that the most influential factor in developing a boy’s empathy is having a father who is involved in the child care.
• Of all the people in a boy’s life, sons identified their father as the person to whom they would least likely confide their true feelings.

That last statistic is a troubling one. Boys should feel confident to discuss critical issues and decisions with their father. Many dads are dominating the areas of life that don’t really matter. They become so consumed with their world that the sons God has entrusted to them get less and less time. As fathers, we need to step up to the plate early and often. We need to open the lines of communication in a kind and loving manner. Our sons need to feel that they can tell us anything at any time.

Steve’s dad was an extremely busy man and often brought his work home. However, any time that Steve came to his father to talk or to ask a question, his dad put all of his work away and focused 100% on that particular conversation or question. Steve’s dad looked him in the eye and paid close attention to every word that was being said. This one simple act made a huge impression on Steve. In fact, Steve makes it a practice with his sons today. In the midst of a chaotic world, a dad makes a commitment to listen and engage in conversation with his son. If only we would do that, I truly believe we could eliminate that last statistic. It is not too late to engage your son in conversation. Our new book Flight Plan offers dads a chance to discuss significant issues with their sons.

It offers boys an opportunity to discuss authentic, godly manhood with their fathers. What a great way to start of your son’s teenage years by reading and discussing the road ahead. Do not drift into passivity and end up being a dad that is disconnected to his son. Get in the game. Your son is about to launch into manhood. Are you going to help guide him on his flight or be left on the runway?