FATHERS FORUM 2023 – A WELCOMING SPACE FOR DADS, CAREGIVERS, PARENTS
By Melanie Wells,
February 7, 2023
For over a decade, NYC-Parents in Action has carved out an annual, special meeting space for dads: the popular Fathers Forum. Here, NYC-PIA’s motto, “Be involved, Be informed, Be connected,” comes to life uniquely and sympathetically slanted to fathers and their particular concerns. Among our constituent dads, we’ve found there is an earnest quest – and strong commitment – to do the best parenting job they can. Fathers Forum is dedicated to bringing sound advice, substantive conversation, emotional support and food for thought to these caring parents. In the last few years, we’ve opened this event to mothers, caregivers – all who care about getting child-rearing right. Yet we keep the focus on dads and the inner life of parenting unique to them. We can all learn from their journey.
Even among younger dads, the stereotypical father figure established in mid-20th century culture – stoic, emotionally removed, uninvolved with the kids – still casts a shadow. Fathers today would love a new model to follow, but it isn’t always easy to figure out what that might be. Fathers may be in a two-dad family. They may be single parents. They may long for more emotional warmth but don’t yet have the tools to identify or express it. Sharing parental aspirations can be a life-changing experience and Fathers Forum is here to lend a hand in that.
The Forum for 2023 should prove rewarding. We have assembled a terrific panel to address questions around various facets of contemporary fatherhood. Two NYC Independent School Heads of School who are also dads (John Allman, The Trinity School; Jose DeJesus, The Dalton School) will sit down with Mark Greene (Author; Founder of Remaking Manhood) to answer questions ranging from how a parent may best partner with schools to bolster children’s development and success; to the special concerns of widowers and divorced dads; to the often hidden challenges most dads face from a sense of isolation and loneliness.
Please join us for Fathers Forum 2023. Explore the world of parenting from Dad’s point of view, whether you are a father, a mother, a caregiver, a grand-parent. All are welcome to share the joy of good conversation and communal commitment to better support for our children.