After losing the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton uttered the phrase “the future is female,” much to the delight of a conference crowd. The phrase didn’t originate with her, but it has since gained popularity in a culture that is deeply confused about gender and the roles of men and women. A future that is female may sound great to those who disregard men as a “necessary evil.” But a functioning society needs strong, positive male role models. And it desperately needs fathers.
Modern American culture still celebrates fatherhood, at least for now. Given our society’s gender hysteria, that is not likely to last forever. Announcing desired pronouns is all the rage. And there are clear examples in which women are being slowly erased by a militant transgender movement that co-ops the female experience and says women just have to take it. As feminine qualities are diminished, so too are masculine qualities. This does not bode well for society as a whole, nor does it strengthen families.
One of the many problems with putting women above men is that it concludes women can do and be everything. This is fantastically flawed. Males and females are unique, and their separate skills and abilities should be celebrated, not maligned. In the nuclear family, mothers and fathers provide different things for their children. Both roles have immense value. That mothers and fathers bring separate strengths to a family is true. It should also not be considered a negative.
Fathers are integral to their children’s growth. Boys and girls first see what it means to be a man based on what their fathers portray. How fathers interact with the mother, whether they live together or not, is a major building block for childhood development. That is an undeniably powerful component to life. Involved fathers contribute to their children’s self-esteem and sense of security. Traditionally, fathers are disciplinarians. Mothers certainly assist in correcting children, but fathers routinely offer a more firm demeanor. Children need direction and boundaries.
Fathers provide a sense of protection in ways that mothers cannot. This isn’t to downplay a woman’s ability to take care of her children, but men are naturally stronger. That’s not a popular fact in a society that acts as if males and females have the same physical capabilities.
Men and women are distinct. This truth is conveniently ignored by a growing chorus that says you can magically feel like the other gender at any time. But DNA is stubborn and imbues males and females with characteristics that do not belong to the other. For that basic reason alone, children need the model of both in their lives.
The bumbling, disinterested father is a popular trope. You see, fathers are useless bores, and mothers are superheroes who need no assistance. Except neither is true. There are old and new ideas that suggest a “world without men,” as if that would be a net positive for anyone. Yes, some men are sexual predators. But most aren’t. Some men commit crimes, but most don’t. Disparaging men in turn belittles fatherhood. And in a confused America, that’s the last thing we need.
For lack of a better term, fathers introduce much-needed diversity into the family. Fathers complement mothers, and the rhythm provided by both is what children need. Fathers who are invested in the lives of their children have the power to mold them for the better, teach essential lessons, and raise responsible future adults. No father is perfect, but neither is any mother. We celebrate mothers. We can and should celebrate fathers, too.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
