IMO, we counter it by example. But example only goes so far. How many times are mothers & fathers absolutely shocked by something their 'good kid' has done? The outside world influences them in innumerable ways we often don't see until it's too late. We can, as dads, be the change we want to see for sure, but it's much more involved than many are prepared for.

We have to counter the influences of the real world because our kids can't be reared in a bubble. We have to be prepared to meet the challenges of peer pressure on our boys, to demean girls and maintain the macho image, and on our daughters for the pressure to conform and PERform , so as not to draw the criticism, which will surely come no matter what.

Us dads know all too well how boys think. Yet our hands are often tied as to what we can do about it. We can't protect out kids from the consequences of bad decisions in the moment because we're not there. We can't decide FOR them without telling them that we don't trust their judgement, or them in general. We can't protect our daughters 'the old fashioned way', or discipline our sons 'the old fashioned way', even though sometimes that's precisely what's needed. All we can do, and this is even limited, is be vigilant about their influences.

They can look up to us, as mothers and fathers, or look up to the culture we've allowed to be created around them. I'm increasingly convinced that the more right thinking we are as fathers, the more at odds we will be with society and our culture. And there are too many variables to expand on from that.

What we have today is a culmination of many wrong thinking ideologies and misguided beliefs. These results undermine a man's ability to effectively and correctly rear his sons and daughters without disconnecting from the world, which would defeat the purpose of bettering society through the home. Then again, families aren't what they used to be and have been attacked and broken down from every angle. This, unfortunately, is the result.

It's that catch 22. It starts in the home with both mom and dad being on the same page as to how they believe their kids should be brought up. But if they believe other than the majority, well then it's everyone's business and becomes the state's roll to determine if mom and dad are fit to be 'parents'.

It's an uphill battle to be sure, but one any man worth his salt is prepared for once he's responsible for bringing another life into this world.