Book Review – Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know by Meg Meeker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had heard about Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know for quite some time now. If I'm not mistaken, the Dave Ramsey show had mentioned it numerous times as well, so it was always one of those books I wanted to get to "sooner or later". Admittedly, it became later, but I should have read this sooner.

I think this book not only helps transform a male into a positive role model for their daughter, but that it helps one become a positive role model for their wives as well. This book does an excellent job on presenting and\or reminding you on the challenges every woman faces these days, and the grit, maturity and dedication a father needs to have with their daughters to keep them balanced. Throughout the book, you are constantly reminded that the morals and self-respect you want your daughter to have are consistently challenged by all aspects of the world, from the commercials on TV to adverts in magazines she may thumb through at the checkout counter to text messages she may receive while you think she's sleeping in bed to the attention other girls get in school, which she craves as well. Additionally, the book also does a very good job on indicating how critical a father's support is in their daughters lives, as if those needs and approvals aren't found during adolescence and teenage years, it's only sought elsewhere from other guys as they get older.

Fortunately, the book offers simple solutions to many of these complex problems. Namely, it's that no matter what she sees or hears, she will always follow your guidance first, which is why it's so crucial to spend time with your daughter. The book also presents why it's equally important to talk with your daughter about the things that normally make you uncomfortable to talk about (I'll let you fill in those blanks), and that no matter how much she seems to resist you at times (namely teenage years), you still need to remind her that you're her father and that you know best. She may be bright, but you're more experienced, and while she may think she knows about guys, you *know* about guys.

All in all, the book makes a compelling argument to challenge your assumptions on what's important in life, and what's important to you. Determine your moral code, whatever that may be, and live it. As she grows older, indicate those same principles to her, and if you practice what you preach, there's a higher chance she'll listen. (It's even suggested to take the time and "write down" our own "commandments" if you will, so they're crystal clear to her.. and you.. on what principles should be abided as she grows and matures). If you don't want her to think women shouldn't be objectified, don't watch pornography. If you don't want her having pre-marital sex, don't get her birth control "just incase". If you don't want her drinking with friends at parties, don't get drunk yourself. In the end, the responsibility of a father is a huge one, but this book helps you realize that, and how important it is to take that responsibility seriously. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a daughter.. or even wants to psychologically understand their wives more as well.

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