I’m hopeful a new era is coming for men and society. I am very excited to find the Life of Dad website and become a blogger because this site reinforces what I feel I’m seeing more and more these days: men emotionally supporting other men. And I think this new way of relating is deeply being affected by today’s dads.
The role of fatherhood has changed dramatically over the last decades. For the better, starting at birth, dads are much more involved in the raising of their children. More and more men are stay-at-home fathers and many more are developing work/life balance in support of their families and children. This change has great promise (and unique challenges). One of the biggest benefits, I believe, is that men get in touch with their nurturing abilities and thus relate to each other from more powerful nurturing positions.
AKA offering support that isn’t just “pick yourself up”, “be a man”, and all sorts of Cowboy culture notions of isolation and fortitude.
In my opinion, men seem to be more capable each day to share their tears, fears, and joys with each other. And this is deeply learned in loving and relating to one’s child. I know for me, there is no greater lesson I want to teach my son than to feel his emotions and use me in support of them.
Josh Stern works therapeutically with men and dads in the Bay Area. You can find more information at www.sftherapyformen.com.