The Workaholic Father

And what of those fathers who neglect children for the sake of career objectives? According to a report in the Wall Street Journal last month, “Different children react differently to the presence of a workaholic parent. Some imitate the parent and strive, unconsciously, to outdo their mother or father by working even harder. Others rebel, withdrawing into a teen culture that offers plenty of alternative values, including rejecting achievement” (January 15).

So to prevent children from resorting to either extreme, whether workaholic or do-nothing drifter, we suggest that fathers strive to find the balance between responsibilities on the job and at home. Being a provider goes much further than providing financial security. A father’s role also includes providing children with plenty of love and attention.