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Dad to Take Helm at PTA for First Time
Filed under: Opinions
Charles J. Saylors will make history in June, when he takes over as president of the Parent-Teacher Association, a national organization of 5.5 million members most often associated with mothers.Recent years have seen the rise of the stereotypical PTA mom -- the woman who left her high-powered career and instead channeled her not-inconsiderable organizational skills to bake sales and fund drives. However, Saylors' appointment is reflective of a growing number of dads who are getting more involved in their children's schooling.
According to The New York Times, men make up only 10 percent of the national PTA membership, and while the number may be small, it does reveal a steady increase. Male membership in the PTA has increased at a rate of 1 percent per year over the past five years.
The National Center of Fathering also shows that men are more involved with their kids' educations, engaging in activities like walking their children to school, going to class events, talking about education with other fathers, and helping with extracurricular events.
The national PTA recently made a concerted effort to get fathers more involved. A poll conducted by the organization two years ago revealed that dads were less involved than moms for two reasons: they didn't have enough time, and no one asked them to join.
That research led to "Three for me," which is a contractual agreement between the school and the parent for three years of volunteer time during each school year. That, says Saylors, shows men that the PTA doesn't have to take over your life.
My kids aren't school-age yet, but I know the temptation to get over-involved will grip me in just a few short years. My own husband certainly reflects the trend of involved dads -- if I know him, he'll be the first in line to bring a batch of cupcakes for the holiday celebration.
How about you? Are you a PTA mom or dad? Why or why not?
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
1-08-2009 @ 11:22AM
Ellen from MindBites.com said...I definitely see a trend where father's are becoming more active participants in raising children. Not just from a stay at home dad perspective. Fathers are engaging in all aspects of their children's lives which I think is a great thing.
Check out these guys that founded a company called DadLabs. They have a video series that they created from the dad's perspective in the pregnancy process. They block, tackle and give advice for Surviving Pregnancy the 1st, 2nd & 3rd trimester, delivery etc. and they are hilarious. Definitely very worthwhile. :) Link below:
http://www.mindbites.com/person/3566-DadLabs
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1-12-2009 @ 1:23AM
Scott Huse said...Great comments and for the last 10 years I have heard and felt each one of them as I helped lead a program to get fathers and father-figures started and active in my children's elementary and middle schools.
While we had great success in my schools, the challenge was to duplicate that success in all schools nationally. The reality was, some schools/school districts have 65-85% of their students living in a single parent home, typically with mom. While the need is huge for male involvement for all children, many of these students do not have their father or a father-figure in their life to participate in the program as a volunteer.
I launched Schools And Families Engaged (the S.A.F.E. TEAM on Campus) in 2008 to meet the needs of schools and families. Many of the school's families do not know where to begin in school. Many parents today never had an example of their parents supporting the school let alone they may not have enjoyed their personal schooling experience. Why would they have a desire to serve? You only know what you have experienced.
Make time to check out our site www.thesafeteam.com . On the About SAFE page, click on the 40 Developmental Assets link. This will tie in all the benefits of families and communities supporting their students both in school and out of school.
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