Family Man Hiking 4,400 Miles Across America in Order to Draw Attention to the Valuable Role Fathers Play in Raising Children.
Step-Father of Ten Says Today's Youth Need a Father's Influence More Now Than Ever. He Hopes His Effort Will Get the Attention of Dads All Over America - encouraging them to Become More Involved in Their Children's Lives.
(PRWEB) July 7, 2004
William Bateman, a veteran long distance hiker and the blended family Christian father of ten from south Florida, is preparing to hike a combined 4,400 miles from Cape Gaspe', Canada to Key West, Florida on behalf of fathers and children without fathers.
"For far too long, fathers have been the missing link in mentoring, youth and single-parent issues here in America and it is time for fathers to step forward and take their roles more seriously." claims Mr. Bateman. He goes on to say that, "Today's American dads are misunderstanding the important role they should be playing in their children's lives and are not discerning the difference between being a dad and being a father. They have bought into the lie that it is their responsibility to provide for the family - and though this is part of it, their role is so much more." He also believes firmly that for the most part, mentoring and youth ministry programs are a failure - having supplanted the role fathers naturally held since biblical creation. In fact he says, “These same social and church programs have let the dad off the hook so to speak and allowed them to pursue personal gain ahead of looking out for the best interest of their child and family.”
Mr. Bateman expands his reasoning further by pointing out that any male can become a dad by helping to bring a child into this world. Fathering, on the other hand, involves the day-to-day investment into the very lives of that child - and can provide the very attributes of love a child most desperately seeks - affirmation, gentleness, wisdom, guidance, correction, stability and integrity. He points out that he has talked with countless dads who, at the end of their lives, regretted investing so much of their energies pursuing careers while neglecting their children's spiritual, physical and emotional needs.
When asked what kind of advice he would give a young dad entering into fatherhood for the first time, Mr. Bateman quips, “I remind each of them that fathers do not raise children, fathers raise parents!"
He goes on to point out that today's society paints a skewed picture of dads being fearful, absent-minded and worthless beyond the initial act of procreation. This, he believes has destroyed the very fabric of a healthy family and is creating a whole generation of kids who have a disdain for authority, respect and social responsibility.
By hiking across America, Mr. Bateman hopes to encourage dads to take a more active role as fathers in the lives of their children and not allow things such as careers, separation or divorce stand in the way of their investing in their childÂ’s life.
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For further information, or to schedule an interview with William "Spanky" Bateman, please contact him directly via email: hike4kids@abovetheclouds. cc or toll free at 1-877-410-2578
