Definition of a Father

This is the companion article to "What Is a Mother?" that was written to celebrate mothers on the second Sunday in May. Now it is the father's turn to have an article written with him in mind when he celebrates his day on the third Sunday in June.

On that day, much of the world will take the time to pay tribute to fathers.

Fathers have an essential role in the family. Often the success of the father has a great impact on the success of the entire family. That's why it is so important for the father to be all he can be since he is the head of the household except in families where there is no male parent.

No doubt, a good father loves his children. Because they are his children, he provides for them, protects them and keeps them safe.

Even though a good father loves his children, he doesn't give them everything they want, and he doesn't let them get away with things that are not good for them. He brings them up right starting when they are young because he knows it is much better to begin teaching them things than to wait until they are older.

The average dictionary does a good job defining most words. However, when dictionaries fall short when it comes to the defining the word "father" as "the male parent." There is so much more to say about a father.

Some dictionaries say a father could be a father-in-law, a stepfather, an adoptive father or any male ancestor, especially the founder of a family or line. The dictionaries go on to say a father is a male who exercises paternal care over other persons.

A father is regarded as a secondary caregiver in almost all cultures because mothers are the ones who spend more time with their children while the father goes to work. This concept is changing because the roles are changing since some fathers are staying home while the wife works aside of the home. Also, more fathers are adopting children as single parents. In the United States, over 16 percent of single parents are men.

The Bible has examples of righteous fathers as well as some unrighteous ones. God wants earthly fathers to know the word of God and act accordingly toward their children.

God is the example that every father has imitate because their children will more than likely imitate them.

A father is a protector who makes her child feel safe and secure. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a small child holding the hand of his father, sitting on the shoulders of his father or being with his father when they are out and about together.

A father is a good example for boys. Little boys want to grow up to be like their fathers. Little girls want to marry a man like their father.

In some families, the father is the disciplinarian. That's why children become afraid when their mother says, "Wait until your father gets home."

The Bible mentions fathers in the Bible. In reference to finding joy in giving good things to their children, Jesus said, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:11).

In reference to disciplining children, the Bible says, "The Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son" (Hebrews 12:6). Fathers love their children enough to correct their bad behavior just like God disciplines those He loves.

In reference to being compassionate about their children, the Bible has this to say in Psalm 103:13: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him."

No matter what, fathers love their children unconditionally just like our Heavenly Father loves us.