Evolving Folks Project

The role of a father is not to be underestimated. Fatherhood is a serious journey. Some folks are ready for it and face it head-on. Others are still figuring it out as they go along and their kid ages. I shared years ago that I was not a father myself, and maybe that won’t change as I hit my fourth decade on Earth. However, back in 2021, I shared my big three thoughts on fatherhood. Those three key qualities to being a great dad were having patience, being vulnerable, and admitting to your mistakes. I think these are great values to have when you’re raising tiny humans into full-fledged adults.

But this ain’t about me. Since I’m no dad, I’ve asked men who are dads themselves about their thoughts on fatherhood. I’ve reached out to close friends, family members, neighbors, and colleagues to get answers from men about fatherhood. In their own words discussing what fatherhood means to them. These are all men of color, including those of black, brown, Asian, and Latino descent. As a black man myself, I wanted to focus on fathers who happened to be men of color. Unfortunately, many negative stereotypes surround men of color and fatherhood. The Evolving Folks Project aims to showcase the humanity of people of color and those from marginalized communities. That includes fathers, too.

So, what do men think about fatherhood? Read on to get some remarkable quotes and insights from fathers raising children with their partners, in blended families, or as a single dad. We adjusted some quotes for readability, changing them from their original context.

“My Favorite thing about being a father is raising your child to become a successful adult and teaching them the do’s and don’ts about life. And what it means to treat people the way you would want to be treated.” – W. Horne IV

“My favorite aspect of being a father is seeing my kid’s personality emerge. He’s two and a half and starting to talk and act in ways that let us know who he is. So, you get to meet a new person from the beginning. They’re connected to you and take on some of your habits, but are their own unique person. It’s beautiful to see how your relationship grows from that starting point.” – Michael T.

“Being a dad is fun and is a real blessing. I am my kid’s first Superhero, and I would do anything for my kid. He’s essentially my flesh and blood. He is my legacy and the only person in the world who is truly mine.” – John A.

“It’s hard to say what my favorite thing is about being a dad. But I’d say one of the things I love the most about being a dad is simply spending time with my kids…Coming home and seeing their faces as soon as i walk through the door. No matter how bad my day might have been at work, I know I’m coming home to a loving family.” – Jamie V.

“When I was little, I remember watching Tom and Jerry and seeing Spike and Tyke. Spike was a brute. Big, strong, and terrifying to everyone but his son. He loved and doted over his son. He was proud of his son. And I pity the fool who did anything bad to that pup. That was how I saw my dad. My dad was strong, intelligent, proud, and fiercely protective. My dad was abundantly loving. Ever since I was about four years old, I remember being very clear about wanting to be a dad. I wanted to be like my dad. I often see my dad in the mirror, and I see myself in my children. My favorite part of being a dad is remembering what it was like to love my dad, to be loved by him, and see my son’s feelings.”- Nick D.

“My son is sleeping in the middle of the day right now…Bro, that’s what I love about being a dad: peace and tranquility are what he brings me in life. I love how he loves me, and his hugs make me cherish working hard and making our lives better. Being a dad is an immense responsibility. Don’t get me wrong, I have my days where it’s hard to parent, but my son makes it all the better when we are together” – Desi Z Jr.

“As the father of a toddler, I love having this cute and squishy little guy around who just wants to eat tasty food, play with toys, read books, and spend time with people he likes- which, for now, is primarily his mom and me. He just wants to enjoy life in a pure, age-appropriate way.” – Roy K.

“For some of us, fatherhood isn’t just a role, it’s redemption. It’s where love and accountability meet to break cycles and build something better. They see the outcome, who I am now, but fatherhood is a daily choice I made in the dark, long before the light ever found me. I became a father at 23 years old, so I became a father before I became a man. But loving my daughter gave me the strength to become both.” – Mabari B. 

I want to thank all the fathers who shared their insights and wisdom about fatherhood. It’s no simple task, just like motherhood. There are difficulties, failures, and triumphs in raising a child. What I learned from this group of dads is that being a father made them all better men. In an age of online and real-life gender wars, men like Diddy and Winstein misbehaving, and the influence of the manosphere, men as a collective whole, aren’t looking good thesedays. However, on the flip side, there are stories like the ones I shared today. Men stepping up and taking care of their responsibilities.

These stories aren’t sensational or clickbait-y. However, there are countless men out there doing their best to be good fathers and role models for their children. The Evolving Folks Project started out as the Evolving Man Project. An evolved man is one who strives to become a better person every day. We men frequently overcome challenges despite occasional setbacks. A father’s role is crucial in demonstrating strength and compassion to his children; he must be a source of stability in both good and challenging times. The men in this article exemplify what it means to be an evolved person. Happy Father’s Day.