On 19 November 2018, individuals, organizations, and institutions in 86 nations will observe International Men's Day. Why is International Men's Day important? And why is there a need to celebrate Men?
The World needs
Men. Men are the key architects of our bridge to the future. And our children
are our future — our bridge to the future. Yes, Men are necessary. Every day in
their usual unassuming way, Men offer each of us valuable life lessons. Life
lessons about honor — that one’s word should be one’s bond. If you say you are
going to do something, then you must do what you say you are going to do and
then do it — no excuses . . . no complaints. Just go about the
business of delivering what you have promised.
Men offer life
lessons about sacrifice. Quietly and unceremoniously, Men who are Fathers
throughout our global village place their own personal dreams on a shelf, and
work at back-breaking, spirit-numbing, and for many — very dangerous jobs — so
that their children can have access to economic and educational opportunities
that they themselves could only dream of. Men will walk through fire for their
children, if that is what it takes to keep food on the table for them, a roof
over their heads, and clothes on their backs. Many of these Men — after
completing a grueling day at work, return home and play an active role not only
in the positive emotional, intellectual and psychological development of their
own children, but also mentor other children and serve as coaches of
neighborhood basketball, baseball, softball, soccer and hockey teams. And when
asked by their country to serve in their nation’s military and defend their
country in an unarmed conflict thousands of miles away from their families, Men
quietly and unceremoniously answer the call, not knowing whether they will
return to the families they are leaving behind. Sadly, a number of these men
never return. These men have made the ultimate sacrifice. They have given their
lives in defense of their country. Men are a family’s liaison to the world that
exists outside of the family’s immediate environment. As a result, they offer
very valuable life lessons on how one should navigate the world that exists
outside of one’s environment — for example, the worlds of business and
politics.
Our sons need
Fathers. Men help the young males of our society successfully navigate the
journey from childhood to manhood. It takes a man to teach a boy how to be a
man. It takes a Man to provide our sons with the positive affirmation that only
a Father can give — positive affirmation that our sons so desperately seek and
need to receive from an adult male. It takes a Man to prepare the young males
of our society for their future roles as husbands, fathers, and productive members
of our global village once they reach the age of maturity. A young man’s
relationship with his father determines, to a large degree, how he will raise
his own children.
Our daughters
need Fathers. Fathers shape our daughters’ first images of men. Fathers shape
the decisions that our daughters make when choosing a career and choosing a
mate. Fathers shape our daughters’ perception of their self-worth and their
place in the world. It takes a Man to provide our daughters with the positive
affirmation that only a Father can give — positive affirmation that our
daughters so desperately seek and need to receive from an adult male. A young
woman’s relationship with her father determines, to a large degree, how she
will raise her own children.
If you are a Man
reading this who has felt or was made to feel “unnecessary”, “unwanted”, and
“unloved”, I am here to tell you that you are, indeed, necessary. You are
wanted. You are loved. And your selfless sacrifices and never-ending
contributions to our families, our communities, and our world are appreciated
more than you know.
Happy International Men's Day!
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