“The modern day father comes in various forms. Today’s father is no longer always the traditional married breadwinner and disciplinarian in the family. He can be single or married; externally employed or stay-at home; gay or straight; an adoptive or step-parent; and a more than capable caregiver to children facing physical or psychological challenges. Psychological research across families from all ethnic backgrounds suggests that fathers' affection and increased family involvement help promote children's social and emotional development.”
- American Psychological Association
https://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/changing-father
Mission
- To recruit Men who are either raising children on their own or helping to raise children within a residential context or not, but eager to learn parenting skills that will help them become equally capable as Mothers, to be competent caregivers to their children facing physical or psychological challenges;
- To study the history of the Fatherhood Movement in America;
- To cause each board member to reflect on their own evolutionary experience within their family structure (past and present); and
- To create when mentoring others, mindsets that generate healthy relationships between fathers and their children.
The goal of the mission statement is to better prepare board members to be able to independently think, discuss and collaborate beyond traditional norms, on ideas that positively impact public policies surrounding men helping to raise children within families.
Vision
A society where Fathers and their children can experience the benefits of healthy and robust relationships with each other on a continuous basis uninterrupted by the impediments of obstructive legal or political policies or harmful social ideas and norms.
Criteria
The Men Advisory Board of The Strong Families Commission shall be composed of no less than five (5), nor more than fifty-five (55), members at a time, who shall be natural persons of full age who are committed to the mission and vision of the Advisory Board, as agreed to by its members.
Criteria for Commission Membership: An individual must:
Role Expectations for Commission Members:
Commission Member Responsibility:
Criteria for Commission Membership: An individual must:
- Be a resident of Southeastern Pennsylvania, living or working in one of the following five counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia;
- Be committed to the mission and vision of the Advisory Board as adopted or amended by its members;
- Be willing to recruit, study the history of the Fatherhood Movement in America, reflect on one’s own evolutionary experience within their family structure (past and present); and, create when mentoring others, mindsets that generate healthy relationships between fathers and their children.
Role Expectations for Commission Members:
- Full and consistent participation in meetings and decision-making regarding the work of the Board;
- Enthusiastic participation in the analysis and promotion of our collective learning;
- Commitment to participate in the activities of the Board;
- Active promotion of the work of the Board, including serving as a spokesperson and/or presenter of information regarding its program activities; and,
- Management of time and schedule to assure participation in planning, development, and actualization of Board Initiatives.
Commission Member Responsibility:
- Participation in face-to-face, as well as virtual meetings of the Board, as called by the Chair;
- Mutual respect for other members of the Board and their opinions;
- Immediate identification of areas of conflict of interest that may arise;
- Uphold confidentiality related to the work of the Board;
- Maintain objectivity in consideration of new information; including willingness to see a bigger picture, patience with the Board’s processes, and exhibiting good listening skills in consideration of new information;
- Understand thoroughly systemic barriers to the involvement of Fathers in the lives and well-being of their children and families; and,
- Complete assignments on time.