Ugandans a few years ago joined the world in the tradition of marking Father’s Day, every 3rd Sunday of June. Social media has made it prominent. It celebrates the care-giving, emotional support and far-reaching influence of father figures on especially their biological children. It is also a day to focus on or condemn those who sire children and irresponsibly leave them to their mothers or society to father them.
In the home setting in patrilineal societies, fathers are viewed as leaders, teachers, providers, protectors and influencers. The main purpose of this is to prepare children into good and productive citizens, ready for the world, especially when their parents are no longer around. But on a more philosophical level father should do more than that. In preparing their children for the world, it is also incumbent upon them to prepare the world for their children.
The ideal child is basically taught to have discipline and be consistent. Develop a learning, progressive mind. Value hard and honest work. Love, respect and care for self and others, especially the vulnerable. Obey the law and those in leadership. Belong to and be a good member of society plus respect public property. At the end of the day with all these virtues, one who was properly fathered may look back and pat themselves on the back for having created or left behind a world better than the one they were born into or lived in. To make fatherhood meaningful beyond the confines of a home and nucleus or extended family, fathers should seriously reflect on these issues. If in your estimation, you have done all you should for the betterment of your children, don’t you think you waste your effort if they inherit a world worse than one you found?
The challenges facing the world today are mainly man made. High up on the list is the problem of climate change caused by the abuse of the environment. The world is facing adverse weather conditions due to increase in production and use of ozone depleting gases. Forest cover is shrinking. Wetlands are encroached etc. The world is becoming warmer and unpredictable weather disrupt agricultural plus food production pattens. You risk leaving your child in a world afflicted by drought and food scarcity. The same applies to governance issues. The rational behind corruption or stealing from the public is to horde money as a way of planning for their own children.
The trouble is that corruption affects the social safety of communities. The effects are on everyone. When young and underprivileged people are unemployed, lack basics like housing, access to food, water, clothing and shelter they become desperate. Crime may be their last resort. They may target your well brought up planned child and even kill them for their vehicle or mobile phone as a way to survival. If fathers don’t handle authority properly it endangers the future of their own children as much as that of others.
Anyone, especially those with power at whatever level who misuses it does a disservice to their own children. It opens up an account of vengeance to those who are abused and creates hatred and animosity. It is very sad if we don’t empathise with the victims of abuse and overreach. The relevance of this to any well-meaning father is that proper governance and a viable, functional society is not just an academic exercise. It is for the good of everyone, especially their own children. Ugandan fathers have to reflect on their understanding of fatherhood. Your appreciation of fatherhood should not be limited to the comfort and confines of your home. It should be an exemplary and empathetic service to society.