What Makes a Great Father? | Mark Trahan | TEDxTexasStateUniversity

Did you know that having an actively involved father can influence your adult life? Dr. Mark Trahan divulges new research about male confidence in being a parent, discusses challenges fathers face, and suggests steps fathers and mothers can take to create a father friendly family.

Mark Trahan, PhD, LCSW, is an assistant professor of Social Work at Texas State University. Dr. Trahan has spent the last fifteen years working with individuals, families, and couples as a therapist, researcher, and teacher. His areas of research interest include the role of fathering confidence in father engagement and the use of technology, specifically virtual reality, to assist in creating more confidence in men and fathers. Dr. Trahan is currently working on research projects with incarcerated men and returning combat soldiers, with future plans to use virtual reality for parenting and communication skills training. Dr. Trahan enjoys teaching and is passionately engaged in educating social work students. He loves spending time with his family, mountain biking, fly-fishing, and watching college football.

[marktannehill]

I didn't have a father growing up. Now I have a son who tells me he hates me more than he says he loves me. And I show him no matter what I'm in your corner.

[Romans_]

“Forgiveness is a gateway to confidence”

More like healing.

[T-Cup]

My Son wasn’t planned and my first thoughts weren’t good. Since the birth of my child I have never been so in love with him. I adore my Son with all my heart.

[paulo]

I’m a single father of 3 kids. Not easy but I keep my kids busy with sports. I make sure they are accountable for their actions. Schools, sports and household chores. Kids need direction and discipline. But I make sure we always do something as a family.

[comptonopolis]

At 21 I had a daughter, she is now almost 7, she was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4. Couldn't walk until she was 3. Is still non verbal. We are still working on toilet training. I feel defeated every day of my life. Each milestone is huge for us but they are few and far between. My dad was not a good role model so I am trying to learn how to be a good parent while feeling like a constant failure.
Having a daughter that I can't verbally communicate with is the most difficult thing I have ever faced. I want nothing more than to hear about her days at school, how she is feeling emotionally, what I can be doing better, but the only sounds in our world are laughter and screams of frustration. I did not know what autism was before her.

I know there are many people who have it more challenging than I do however, I can't talk to anyone about my situation because nobody I know can even begin to imagine what my life is like. I wish there was more awareness around it.

[Hapalolo]

So glad I have my wife she pushes me to be a better father every day and second. I didn't have my father there for me and at times it is more overwhelming than pulling a double shift any day and can be very hard. Glad have seen this video.

[meepmeep]

Currently 17 I can’t wait to be the best father I can be. I used to only want boys but now I’m really open to any gender I just want to love and care for my own child and show them the unconditional love I have for them like I wished my parents showed me.

[sandykl]

Cried so hard 😭 I have so many painful wounds from being neglected and constantly abandoned by my father. But seeing things like this evolves my perspective that there are men that are brave to be vulnerable, to be protective, to be good spirited, etc. When he said something about reading another Frozen book to his daughter.. I didn’t know fathers read to their babies 😭 that was comforting.

[itskeagan]

My grandfather passed at 38 of a heart attack-he didn’t take care of himself one bit. My father assumed his role was to “provide” and discipline. I’m so glad to be breaking that cycle, to be mindful, to be humble and to be able to drop my pride.

[Oliver-qdee]

When you have daddy issues wondering if you will make it to be good enough of a father

[mmastroleo]

Gives me the feels. My dad has done all these things for me. I'm a lucky guy.

[nicholasnorge]

Beautiful moment when his father stood up <3 He looked so proud of his son!

[christian]

Just got moved up to lieutinent on my local fire department yesterday and couldn't have done it without the work ethic I learned from my dad. Good dads are the best

[jamesholden]

I'm 20, don't plan on having kids for at least 10 years. It's important to learn these kinds of things.

[silvia]

Damn i think i've never cried so hard... This really hit me emotionally. Great speach!👏👏👏

[gabrielmcollazo]

In order to be a good Parent er Father, Mother; ONE! must be in touch with our own Don't do to our children WHAT! was done to us by our parents! . There is parents and then AGAIN there is "PARENTS!" I rest my case!

[joshswinn]

If you ain’t got time bc your kid is with you skip to 12:10 seconds

[DavidJenkins-ydls]

Great talk and great show of love to his wife& father. I hope I find a woman I can trust and confide in fully. God bless 🌍

[ChristianDad]

Thank you for this video! I really needed it!

[JT]

Crazy to me that this guy felt so abandoned at 15. You realize how much worse off those who never had a dad have it. I hope 🇺🇸 fixes this fatherless issue-our #1 issue in America.