Obama’s Father’s Day Address Is Inclusive And Awesome

shutterstock_56888602__1371307378_142.196.156.251President Obama talked about the importance of fathers and family in his weekly address this morning. It makes me happy that we have a President who is inclusive of all types of family dynamics when he talks about a holiday devoted to celebrating family.

A transcript of President Obama’s weekly address from 100 WAPI:

I never really knew my own father.  I was raised by a single mom and two wonderful grandparents who made incredible sacrifices for me.  And there are single parents all across the country who do a heroic job raising terrific kids.  But I still wish I had a dad who was not only around, but involved; another role model to teach me what my mom did her best to instill values like hard work and integrity; responsibility and delayed gratification all the things that give a child the foundation to envision a brighter future for themselves…

Being a good parent whether you’re gay or straight; a foster parent or a grandparent isn’t easy.  It demands your constant attention, frequent sacrifice, and a healthy dose of patience.  And nobody’s perfect.  To this day, I’m still figuring out how to be a better husband to my wife and father to my kids.

There are so many varying family dynamics. Not everyone has a father to celebrate. I spent many years estranged from my father and Father’s Day really brought me nothing but pain and a reminder that I didn’t have the kind of relationship others had. It killed me that I didn’t have a father to celebrate on the one day a year dedicated to him. I’m sure many people have the same experience with their mothers as well.

It’s nice to be reminded that you don’t have to fall into the typical “nuclear family” dynamic to enjoy a day that celebrates family. I doubt these two holidays will morph into a general “Parent’s Day” anytime soon – but I think that anyone who parents a child should have the opportunity to be celebrated on a day like Father’s Day – whether they fall into the traditional role of “father” or not.

(photo: Action Sports Photography/ Shutterstock)

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