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Missing Dad
"To be a father, you don't have to do anything but create a child. But to be a dad, you have to be there."
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to this Commentary!
By Jerica Allen
There has always been something missing from my family portrait: my dad. Though the words "father" and "dad" in the English language are often used as synonyms, they have always had a different meaning to me. To be a father, you don't have to do anything but create a child. But to be a dad, you have to be there. A dad is there in all ways: emotionally, socially, and financially.
My father doesn’t know how to be a dad – he’s not there for me. Sure he supports us with some financial assistance, but sometimes I just want him to be there for other stuff...you know, like watching me march at football games, seeing me in school plays, or just stopping by the house to say hi and chat.
I know that it doesn't always work out between couples. So I can understand my dad not being with my mom. But I just can’t grasp the concept of him not being with me. I’m a part of him whether he likes it or not.
Some of my relatives tell me he pretends to have a close relationship with me – but he doesn’t. Of course, it takes some energy to truly be a dad, but he doesn’t give me any time. His behavior hurts me. And it’s time to for him to start thinking about that, and step up to the plate as a real dad.
- Youth Radio Atlanta is produced in cooperation with WABE and funded in part by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
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