This archive report was first published on 11 January 2020.
Men need to deal with their daddy issues to avoid hurting their sons ¶
January 11, 2020
By MARIGA THOITHI
As the world mourns the loss of James Avery, the actor who played Uncle Phil in the popular TV show 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air', many are reflecting on the impact of father figures in our lives.
Uncle Phil was a strict, well-spoken, and educated dad who was a perfect portrayal of a father figure in TV history. However, he wasn't the only one. America's Dad, Bill Cosby, is now a prison motivational speaker after being convicted of rape and sexual assault, and Stephen Collins, the dad from '7th Heaven', admitted to sexually molesting minors.
These examples highlight the importance of men dealing with their own daddy issues to avoid hurting their sons. A recent study found that six out of every 10 Kenyan women are likely to be single mothers by the time they reach 45, and this number is high but not surprising.
Many men in our homes were treated like senior management, served with refreshments and left alone in peace and quiet to think 'strategic thoughts'. This is a far cry from the reality of many men who struggle with their own daddy issues, leading to a cycle of hurt and trauma that can be passed down to their sons.
Good Men Project points out six things to look out for as a way of spotting men with 'daddy issues', including being commitment-phobic, unaffectionate, irresponsible, aloof, unconcerned about anyone's problems but their own, and having a complicated relationship with their own father.
It's time for men to face their hang-ups and deal with the issue. As Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher, says, 'If you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.'
