“Like the YouTube channel, this is a touching yet informative guide for those seeking fatherly advice, or even a few good dad jokes.” — Library Journal

A thoughtful and "utterly mind-blowing" exploration of fatherhood and masculinity in the 21st century (New York Times). There are hundreds of books on parenting, and with good reason—becoming a parent is scary, difficult, and life-changing. But when it comes to books about parenting identity, rather than the nuts and bolts of raising children, nearly all are about what it's like to be a mother. Drawing on research in sociology, economics, philosophy, gender studies, and the author's own experiences, Father Figure sets out to fill that gap. It's an exploration of the psychology of fatherhood from an archetypal perspective as well as a cultural history that challenges familiar assumptions about the origins of so-called traditional parenting roles. What paradoxes and contradictions are inherent in our common understanding of dads? Might it be time to rethink some aspects of fatherhood? Gender norms are changing, and old economic models are facing disruption. As a result, parenthood and family life are undergoing an existential transformation. And yet, the narratives and images of dads available to us are wholly inadequate for this transition. Victorian and Industrial Age tropes about fathers not only dominate the media, but also contour most people's lived experience. Father Figure offers a badly needed update to our collective understanding of fatherhood—and masculinity in general. It teaches dads how to embrace the joys of fathering while guiding them toward an image of manliness for the modern world.

"Most men spend very little time pondering the question, Am I doing the right things to become a great dad? This book addresses this most important question in a profound way. It's filled with personal stories, focused on powerful principles, and is written for real people. We all know how easy it is, biologically, to become a father. What we often don't realize is that it takes work, dedication, and learned skills to become a dad, especially a great dad." - From the foreword by Jack Canfield, Co-Creator, #1 New York Times best selling series Chicken Soup for the Soul (r) In How to Be a Great Dad, you will learn: The 15-day Great Dad Challenge that transforms fathers into dads. Why dads matter way more than you may think. The lifelong impact fathers have on their children. The three simple and strategic skills to great dad success that all dads can master. Why bad or absent dads can land kids in prison. How to become the father you wish you'd had. Why "father nurture" is as important as "mother nurture." Why saying "I'm proud of you" makes all the difference. Why "I'll love you no matter what" means so much to your kids. Why a hug is not "just a hug" when it comes from Dad. How to build your kids' self-esteem. How to give what you may not have received. A doable process to overcome hurts or limitations from the past. Neil Chethik, executive director of The Carnegie Center, writes, "Keith Zafren is an inspiring guide on this adventure into the heart of fathering. Read this book. It will make you a better dad, and it may even help you forgive your own father for the mistakes he inevitably made." Neil Chethik Executive Director, The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning Author, FatherLoss and VoiceMale "WOW!!! 'Healing a Father Wound' was by far the most impactful and emotional section of any book I have ever read. I can't even describe how deeply this teaching affected me. The feeling of 'choked up' stayed throughout reading the section, and keeps coming back even now. I realized clearly how my own father wound has affected my entire life, and still does to this day. It also made me realize how the healing process is a daily reward to me and my boys, and so worth the effort. My heart was smiling while my eyes filled with tears. Awesome book!" Patrick McMillan Founder, TeachingHappiness.com Author, An Exercise in Happiness for Ki

How to DAD wrote a book?! Well I scribbled some stuff down and some other people were crazy enough to publish it so I'll take it! I'm known for making silly viral parenting videos on things like 'How to get a baby to clean the house' or 'How to travel with a baby' and I've put my Dad skills on paper. OK they might not be 'skills' - but the Dad 'stuff' in this book might just help you in your quest to master the art of Dadding. Dadding? Is that a thing...? Well you'll have to buy this book to find out. NAILED IT! Back of book bit - Done.

"In Do Fathers Matter? the award-winning journalist and father of five Paul Raeburn overturns the many myths and stereotypes of fatherhood as he examines the latest scientific findings on the parent we've often overlooked. Drawing on research from neuroscientists, animal behaviorists, geneticists, and developmental psychologists, among others, Raeburn takes us through the various stages of fatherhood, revealing the profound physiological connections between children and fathers, from conception through adolescence and into adulthood--and the importance of the relationship between mothers and fathers. In the process, he challenges the legacy of Freud and mainstream views of parental attachment, and also explains how we can become better parents ourselves."--www.Amazon.com.

Self-initiation is killing our young men. Without strong mentors, boys are walking alone into a wilderness of conflicting messages about who they should be as men. It's no wonder that our sons are confused about what the world expects from them and what they should expect of themselves. The Intentional Father is the antidote. This concise book is filled with practical steps to help men raise sons of consequence--young men who know what they believe, know who they are, and will stand up against the negative cultural trends of our day. Jon Tyson lays out a clear path for fathers and sons that includes specific activities, rites of passage, and significant "marking moments" that can be customized to fit any family. It's not enough to hope our sons will become good men. We need them to be good at being men. This book shows how fathers, grandfathers, and other male mentors can lead the way.