Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there, especially those who take their parental responsibilities seriously. Too many men think that being a father consists in providing for their children's material needs. That's important, but so are immaterial things such as spiritual guidance, moral instruction, and character development. By "spiritual," I don't mean narrowly religious, though there is nothing wrong with that. I mean helping children find meaning in life, love, pain, disappointment, and death. The best thing you can do for your children is to be a good example to them. Let them see in you the great goods of loyalty, honorableness, honesty, compassion, joy, self-respect, courage, and friendship.