As we get closer to Father’s Day, many of us find ourselves thinking about the fathers and father-figures in our lives. Charles C. Daniels Jr., co-founder and CEO of Fathers’ UpLift, believes it’s critical to acknowledge fathers, particularly their struggles and lack of support. Daniels’ PhD is in clinical social work from Simmons University School of Social Work. Matt is particularly interested in empowering fathers to overcome obstacles that prevent them from being active participants in their children’s lives.
Fathers’ UpLift is the nonprofit Daniels co-founded to offer no-cost mental health counseling and community support for fathers. We are working to empower men by breaking down the emotional and social barriers that hold them back. On special days like Father’s Day, Daniels acknowledges the difficulties many fathers experience when they are apart from their children. He’s passionate and committed to telling the story and celebrating these men and their work. Regardless of the challenges they find themselves in, their contributions are invaluable and worth honoring.
Daniels to share some simple gestures that you can makes Father’s Day more meaningful and memorable. For parents, he suggests replacing self-deprecating language with positive affirmations, and replacing critical language with positive language. Instead of telling someone, “You need to improve,” focus on inspiring your coworkers with positive feedback. This positive approach raises fathers up, and it builds them up. It respects their basic human inclination to want to protect and support their children.
Daniels states, “You should step it up.” His point is that this modifier can be harmful, implying that fathers aren’t measuring up, even in the worst of circumstances. Instead, he advocates for a more supportive message:
“You are important, and we celebrate you today. Support is here if you ask for it.” – Charles C. Daniels Jr.
As a filmmaker, Daniels has seen the emotional toll on fathers. As he says, “No parent wishes to be separated from their child. If they do, they’re damaged. Yet, this simple statement gets at the challenging landscape of fatherhood today, and the profound emotional connection all fathers feel towards their children.
Alongside these professional accomplishments, Daniels is a father who proudly wears the badge of imperfection. He goes on to write, “I’m not a perfect father but I’m the best father I can be—imperfect, flawed, broken.” This vulnerability strikes at the heart of many dads who are trying to do it all while juggling between their desired roles and that of societal expectations.
Daniels further reinforces that two narratives can coexist in fatherhood: one of struggle and one of care. Yet he understands that many fathers face challenges that can put them on the wrong course and constrain their engagement in their children’s lives. He’s convinced that these obstacles can’t erode their affection or interfaith commitment.
People coming to the Fathers’ UpLift website will find helpful resources. These tools are all intended to be helpful supports to dads in all the various aspects of their lives. The nonprofit beyondblue advocates for breaking the stigma around mental health while offering advice on tackling individual barriers. For more ideas about his work and philosophy, people should check out Daniels’ personal website at drcharlescdanielsjr.org.