Dads & Daughters

Social media websites are some of the most popular haunts on the Internet. They have revolutionized the way people communicate and socialize.  Many introverts and socially reclusive users place too much emphasis on virtual interaction, and ignore the real world outside.  Unfortunately, this tendency of the social media to breed introverts is influencing our daughters at an increasing rate; and, Dads that is why we have to get involved with our daughters.

If families are not careful, unscrupulous people can target our daughters for cyber bullying and harassment on social sites. School children, young girls, and even women can fall prey to online attacks which can create tension and distress.  Dads can be the neutralizer, the antidote for reclusive behavior or sickness.  So, how can dads be this neutralizer or antidote?  Simply put, spend quality time with your daughter. As daughters are growing up, in many American homes, they spend most of their time with mom. Dads are too busy cutting grass, playing golf, working on a project, etc.  The daughter rarely sees her dad.  Being with her mom most of the time, the daughter knows how a woman acts, but has very little knowledge of how a boy/man should act, especially with her.  This unknown interaction is where dad comes in.  When dad spends quality time with his daughter, taking her to the mall, taking her to and watching her play soccer, or just playing a board game, she can then begin to set expectations.  She sees how her dad treats her and now can set expectations on boys that she may meet.  Additionally, as the bond between dad and daughter grows, through quality time, so will the trust and confidence.  Dad can then begin to truly speak into his daughter’s life.  Dad can talk about setting parameters or limits with boys, letting her know that she is not “one of the guys,” and shouldn’t be one on one with a boy in an isolated place. 

Too often in our society, dads don’t think about the influence they have on their daughters.  However, many unwed mothers or pregnant teens will say it was the affection, attention, or “love,” that they didn’t get from their dad, so they began seeking it elsewhere.  In the case of an unplanned pregnancy, unfortunately, it is the daughter that usually has to carry the burden. The guy, often is no-where to be found.  So, the daughter and her family have to make a decision, do they keep the child and raise him/her in their home or put the child up for adoption.  Instances like these can be averted if dad would spend quality time with his daughter, letting her see what a real man is like.  

Mel King