Sugar, spice and everything nice-That’s what Powerpuff girls were meant to be built of until, Professor Utonium, their father, added the chemical X
As a child, we used to wonder what chemical X really was. Now, seeing a dozen father-daughter relationships, guess we know what it is. We have a theory that chemical X is the love of a father for his daughter. It is this chemical X that makes the ‘X factor’ germinate in a young girl and eventually flourishes to make her a strong, independent woman. Cool, right?
A father’s love for his daughters is usually underrated in front of that of a mother’s and needs to be spoken more of and today we going to do just the same. After all somebody has aptly said, “It is admirable for a man to take his son for fishing but there is a special place in ‘swagland’ for a father who takes his daughter shopping” Awesome!
Studies strongly suggest that a strong father-daughter relationship helps a girl develop positive communication skills, gender neutrality, self-esteem, sense of security, competitiveness without losing their sense of femininity.
It’s not just a plus for the girl child but has perks for dads too. Fathers of daughters have admitted that that having a daughter has changed their behaviour positively as they are more conscious of what they say and are more sensitive to other’s feelings. In fact, watching anything sexist or something that makes women look vulnerable puts them off.
Having daughters does change a man emotionally and shatters their stereotypical image where their masculinity and tough side is outshined by a sensitive and soft side. It makes them a little more understanding. It tugs at emotions which the society generally expects men to bury deep inside and never lets see the daylight. Raising little girls uncovers these emotions and these come out just for daddy’s little princess. Agree?
- Your heart melts when her puppy eyes ask you for that ice-cream in the fridge which her mom just denied. So you sneak out and give it to her only to see that million dollar giggle.
- When you are extra-cautious and chivalrous around women just to set a standard of ‘good men’ in front of your little girl. After all you are her super hero and role model.
- Like you sob a little while she sobs watching her favourite cartoon get hurt and let yourself completely vulnerable and open to her to show that men can cry too and it is pretty normal.
- When you encourage her to take up any subject-Math or Science or any sport- football or cricket in school because you foster her dreams and inspirations and break the notion that only men can do those well. After all, gender neutral parenting begins at home
Showing such attributes doesn’t make men weak. In fact, it’s empowering as it brings so many positive changes within oneself. Of course, there are tough parenting days with unreasonable expectations and demands of daughters, but has anything good ever come without any struggle?
Parenting is demanding. Always has been, always will be. But know this that your little girl looks up to you. In her toddler years, she thinks that you are the Superman but as she grows up, she realizes that you are just a regular guy who wears a cape only to protect, guide and shield her. She knows that for the world you are invincible and righteous, but for her you are a softie who makes her smile and even makes mistakes but she loves you anyway!
“Dads have always been the coolest. Like they always say ‘yes’ when mom said ‘no!’”
In our upcoming series of blogs, Every daughter’s first love-How dads influence their daughter’s lives … and Decoding it: How can dads be involved in raising daughters we will discuss the nuances of this beautiful relationship in much more detail so keep reading!