The Perfect Father

I have lost count of the amount of pregnant teenage girls and young adults walking around on the streets of the capital alone. Many times this reflects on the way one was brought up, but sometimes this also does not show.

Young girls are left hopeless, dreamless and visionless. Just to add the cherry on top of the cake, they grow up being moneyless, jobless and raise their children with no father in sight.

These girls sacrifice achieving their dreams because of extra, heavier obligations placed on their plate. This is the naked truth. But why? Why do fathers deny and relocate their responsibilities onto the mothers alone? There were two of you participating in sexual intercourse, but only one of you are brave enough to take on the responsibilities that come along with raising a child.

It takes two to tango, doing it alone is much harder than anyone thinks. Every child wants the ‘perfect dad’. The dad who will teach you how to ride a bike, the dad who will drive you to your practices or auditions, the dad who is present at each and every game you play because he doesn’t think that anything is more important than his child.

The dad who will pick you up after noticing that you’re falling asleep on the couch and take you to your room only because he does not want you to have a sore neck when you wake up. The dad who never forgets your birthday. And last but not least, the dad who will tell you every morning that he loves you.

But then again, this is not what children necessarily need. Children do not need the ‘perfect dad’, but rather a father. A father does not deny his children, he works harder because he now has more responsibilities. A father makes sure his children are safe. A father makes sure he shows his love rather than just saying it. A father teaches you how to work for your own money and not to always expect hand-outs from him or anyone else.

A father hugs you when you are sad, a father punished you when you have done wrong, a father endures your mistakes. A father sacrifices his needs for his children’s needs, a father makes sure you are able to take care of yourself when he is not around, a father does not care that he is hungry, but instead cares that you are fed. A father will teach you and tell you all about the possible mistakes of life and how to overcome them. A father sees you frown through your smile. A father allows you to live life and enjoy every moment without forgetting where you come from.

When you are grown, he has no worries because he taught you how to become responsible and strong on your own. And finally, a father does all of this and expects nothing in return. Boys and men of the world, why leave all of this to young women? Women go through a lot of emotional distress because of you. The world needs you to stand up and be a father. Love your child, support your child and be the ‘perfect father’.

-Leena Pombili Shipwata is 19 years old and her interests are writing, modelling and helping others in any way possible. She strives to inspire through her writing.

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