By Luke Nacei in Suva
Be responsible, righteous, honest, and lead by example.
That’s the advice from psychotherapist Selina Kuruleca to all fathers, as Fijians celebrate Father’s Day today.
Being a father was not only a biological thing, or a physical thing, Kuruleca said.
“It’s also an emotional thing, a mental, psychological attachment and part of that responsibility means being there, being there in all those aspects psychologically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually,” she said.
“Just so you know, you’re a father figure to someone.
“What does it mean? It means nurturing, it means protecting, it means loving, it means compassion.
“And it means being someone who can be trusted to protect and to provide for someone, who can listen and also partner with their spouses and paddling with their children in terms of uplifting their family, leading them in a manner that is good not only for the family but for the extended family, the community and the nation.”
Kuruleca saluted single fathers for the roles they played and urged them to continue looking after their children.
“For single fathers, continue to be there for your children, provide for them, for your nephews and nieces, for your grandchildren because they need it and no one else can fulfill that role.
“You take it from a biblical perspective. The Bible talks about the father being the head of the household. It doesn’t mean that you don’t play your part.
“You know, being the head of the household means doing everything to be that role. And that means monitoring things safely.”
Luke Nacei is a Fiji Times journalist. Republished with permission.
