English
EspañolIf you are a father, do not just be a hunter – a guy who, in the name of his family, spends all his time working, but never at home; never spending time with them.
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“In our day, the problem no longer seems to be the overbearing presence of the father so much as his absence, his not being there.” (The Joy of Love, n.176)
Commentary
What a contradiction, perhaps even modern slavery. “On behalf of my family, I do not spend time with my family.” The quest for money to cover the family budget and needs takes up all their time. They come home exhausted, with no desire for anything except sleep or being left alone in front of the TV. Neither your marriage, your children, nor your family will function with an absent or evaded father. Or with a mother of the same characteristics. In such a family, we will all end up, starting with ourselves, not knowing what a husband, a wife, a father, and a mother are.
The absent, evaded, and omitted father is one of the significant family problems of the 21st century. Alongside the integration and harmony between work and family in each of the spouses and the growing participation of women in business life, the role of the father, the role of the man in this new scenario, is also a topic that needs discussing.
There is indeed a powerful tendency to work to support the family. However, how many times when fathers are asked to reflect, have they agreed that their exaggerated effort and dedication to the company is due to the pressures of those who run the organizations and the mistaken mentality – both professional and familial – that those fathers have?
The family requires the physical presence of both the father and the mother to facilitate a more stable development of the children. It is urgent to rescue the father’s role, who must be with his children -because he is not replaceable-especially in those moments when his children need him most: playing, laughing, sharing plans, advising, praying, accompanying.
Indeed, companies often design their processes, making it difficult for fathers and mothers to be present in the family. What is needed is a change of mentality is needed, and the courage to go against the tide.
The premise is straightforward: the company wins when parents are more committed and stable at home. Moreover, the family wins when the father and mother have reasonable schedules, dedication, and goals that enhance their capabilities – when they genuinely work for their family because they manage to coexist with and enjoy their family.
