In South Africa, a group of teenage elephants was displaying extreme violence and causing a lot of trouble. They killed around fifty rhinos at Pilanesberg National Park. It turned out their immature bodies were not capable of controlling their spiking testosterone when they went into musth, a state of heightened hormone levels that causes mating readiness and aggressive behavior. When the managers of the park decided to import six mature bull elephants, the problems immediately stopped. Why did this work? In the wild, the aggression of young males is controlled by the presence of mature bull elephants in the area. An interaction with a bigger bull causes younger males to immediately drop out of musth because they cannot compete. When the young males’ hormone levels dropped back to normal, their aggression ceased. It’s a great illustration of the importance of fathers in our society.
The presence of fathers in the home reduces many negative behaviors in teenagers. Crime, poverty, and achievement statistics demonstrate a stark difference between fatherless households and homes where fathers are present. Kids need to have a model of healthy masculinity in the house. It changes their behavior for the better, making a huge difference in their life trajectory. In this book, I advocate for more than just being present. Fathers should be engaged in protecting and preparing their children for life. The positive influence of the father determines where the budding energy of the kids will be channeled. Will they apply themselves to self-improvement or flounder for a decade or two? The father’s influence can determine this. Will they be secure in who they are? The father’s instruction makes the difference.
What if our culture elevated the importance of fatherhood and every man embraced his responsibilities? Would that have a measurable effect on the nation’s crime, poverty, and achievement statistics? I contend that nothing could do more for the current state of our nation than fathers engaging with their children.
