Evolution of Fathers
– Musings of Dr. Jamie C. Hsu, 8.6.2017
What memories do you have of your father? What memories do you have of your grandfather? I bet they are very different. We, fathers, have evolved over the years and changed from one generation to the next with the changes in the society.
In the early days, fathers were mostly “breadwinners,” bringing in money to support a family. Kids treated fathers as authoritative figures who make major decisions and occasionally dole out punishments. The father’s role seemed to be defined more by his job outside the family than within. A typical example would be the colonel in the movie “Sound of Music,” who was authoritarian, strict, and unknowledgeable about how to relate to his kids.
As time progressed, the roles of men and women in society, work, and home went through evolutionary changes. Duel careers blurred the demarcation of “breadwinner” and “homemaker.” Men and women began to share more of the responsibilities in earning wages, doing household chores, and raising the children. Fathers now play more active roles in coaching their children’s sport leagues, school dances, and scout activities. They enjoy being playmates and “buddies” with their children.
Nowadays, fathers are doing laundry, cooking meals, and changing diapers, in addition to the more traditional activities of fixing things, cutting lawns, and teaching kids sports. Some even become househusbands to support the wife’s career and business.
The evolving fathers are bringing more joy and success into the family. Hooray to fathers! Happy Father’s Day (Ba Ba 8/8)
變形金剛爸爸
–作者 許俊宸博士
–中譯 薛乃綺
你對你的爸爸和爺爺的記憶是什麼？我想兩個人一定大不相同。隨著時代的變化，我們這些作父親的，也演變了幾個世代。
早期的父親，大多數是養家糊口的人，努力賺錢為了支撐家庭開支。孩子們會把他當作一位很有權威、會做重要決定、偶而也會懲戒他們的人。那時候的父親們，比較少被定義為工作以外的角色。就像電影”真善美”中的那位父親一樣，權威、嚴肅，不知道如何跟孩子們相處。
隨著時代的轉變，男性與女性在社會上、工作上和家庭上的角色也有了變化，也讓”養家活口”與”家庭主婦”的界線開始模糊。男人跟女人開始共同分擔家計、家務以及教養孩子的責任。父親們輔導孩子們不論在運動競賽、學校舞蹈課程或是童子軍的活動，都比過去扮演更為主動積極的角色。父親權威的形象，已經轉變成孩子們的”玩伴”或”夥伴”。
除了以前的修東西、割草坪、跟教小孩子們運動之類的勞作外，現在的父親還要會洗衣服、煮飯、換尿布。有些甚至變成是丈夫在照顧孩子們，支持妻子在事業上打拼。不斷在”變形”的爸爸們，正在為家庭帶來更多的喜悅與成功！
爸爸萬歲！(祝爸爸8/8節快樂!)
