Engaging Men In Education!
There is a common misconception prevalent at campuses across our nation. We still live in an era where men are believed to be hard to reach or not as interested in education as women. Well, I suggest fathers and father figures are not hard to reach but... campus staff can be. What am I saying?
Early on, I spent a great deal of effort not convincing men to attend events but persuading campuses to see the value of hosting father engagement events. It is amazing how many men will respond to a direct invitation. Campus staff have been amazed when 50-100 men show up with their student(s) at 7:30am for a dad club gathering. If you don't believe me, next time you are at a childcare center or campus take a look at who is dropping off the students.
As traditional gender roles evolve, fathers are becoming more active in parenting and education. According to a Pew Research Center article, "fathers who live with their children are taking a more active role in caring for them and helping out around the house, and the ranks of single fathers have grown significantly in recent decades".
Reflection:
Are you intentional in your marketing efforts to specifically invite fathers and father figures to attend campus events?
