A father's impact is crucial in a child's life

GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - We all know that mothers matter in children’s lives, but what about a father's impact?

Dr Garth Japhet, the CEO of Heartlines and founding CEO of Soul City, has written an opinion piece for Youth month, which explores the impact that fathers, both present and absent, have on children's lives in South Africa.

"In the 30 years that I’ve been involved in addressing some of our region’s most pressing health and social issues, including GBV, HIV/AIDS and child abuse, I have never encountered an issue that is as emotionally charged and resonant, with as many people across all sectors of our society — as fatherhood," writes Japhet.

“For some people, it’s been gratitude for how much their dad’s positive and active presence has shaped their lives. For many more, it’s been about the negative effect his absence has had. For others, he may have been present, but this “presence” has been more a curse than a blessing.

Unsurprisingly, money is not what children most want from their dads. They want their time, their undivided attention, their affirmation,” he continues.

This topic stems from the latest Heartlines initiative, Fathers Matter, which has been created to promote the positive and active presence of fathers in children’s lives.

During the month of June, SABC2 will be airing the Fathers Matter television series on Saturday nights.

There are six short films in the series, set in different communities.

Each film explores the complexities of fatherhood and the relationships people have with their fathers in South Africa today. Catch the rebroadcast of the films on SABC 2 on Saturday 10, 17 and 24 June at 8:30pm. Source: Foxstreetcomms

Fathers Matter Film Series - In Time