I have read stories about young girls who were sexually abused by their fathers. There are fathers who ‘leave’ their sons to figure out their way through life on their own. What of a 13 year old boy in the US who has never met his biological father his whole life? The father even avoided the boy at a ceremony where the boy had expected a happy, emotional first meeting. The boy said he threw a solid punch at him out of frustration. Fathers?

So who is a Father?
We really need to differentiate between a biological father and the fatherhood that actually merits the title. A father is supposed to be that man who guides and helps one through the many challenges of life on beautiful earth as one pursues meanings and goals. Specific roles will include protection, training, information, and preparations for what the future holds etc.

If a man fails while trying to do these things, we’ll understand. If he makes mistakes while trying to do these things, he should be forgiven. But if he does not play the role, he shouldn’t be accorded the exulted title of father, or dad. He’s just Mr. name.

Called a father.
There are many examples of such people who could but never tried being dad. They may or may not have been physically abusive. They expect to be called father just because they injected a biological matter into a woman in the course of enjoying themselves. There is supposed to be a flawless transition between the injection of sper.m and the assumption of the responsibility of fatherhood when the result materializes (whether married or not). This transition is assumed when those who injected the sper.m are usually referred to as fathers by society. Most times they never fail to remind theirs children of the responsibilities owed to them as if the child asked to be favoured by being born.

Changing with the times
Of course this isn’t limited to fatherhood. The world has taken a few positive steps forward and we need to respond to change. All relationships have a role to play and people should play the part for them to be accorded the dignity of titles such as father, mother, brother, sister, friend etc.

A lovely woman in India carried her lovely daughter’s zygote/embryo (fertilized egg) to term (7months in her case) since her daughter medically couldn’t. Who is the child’s mother? So carrying the pregnancy (surrogacy) no longer qualifies motherhood. It is the role played in the life of the child. Same for adopted parents, or those who have legally adopted children for themselves; they are proud parents, by being loving and caring towards them.

So?
So be a father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife or child by playing the role.
Biology isn’t what establishes the title.

...Yeah and that includes boyfriend, girl friend, fiance, fiancee ...

Yeah and that includes boyfriend, girl friend, fiance, fiancee ...

reactions are welcome

So who should we call father?

Father is ...

Only if he is a father...