The fragile embryo of fatherhood: Building a new generation of dads with Terrance Mentor (AfroDaddy)

Terrance Mentor is a South African content creator, writer, and speaker known online as AfroDaddy. He uses humor and authenticity to share his experiences as a father, advocating for positive masculinity, diversity, and mental health awareness. He's been doing this work for 10 years, and he believes that if you want to advance motherhood, look at the fathers. When fathers are emotionally and physically present, the biggest winners are the fathers themselves, but the second biggest winners are the mothers.

We talk about how our generation is the first to attempt egalitarian parenting, and we're doing it clumsily while the world falls apart around us. Just one generation ago, fathers weren't even expected to be in the delivery room. Terrance explains that fatherhood needs to start before you have a child by examining how you were fathered, and then gatekeepers like hospital staff, schools, and family members need policies that always include fathers. But most importantly, fathers need to talk about their experiences. It took Terrance five years of doing AfroDaddy before a dad told him he felt less alone and more empowered. The first active fathers group he joined was literally last week.

What's missing from the conversation is the why of fatherhood. Not the practical how-to stuff, but why any man would want to do this. Terrance describes coming home to an 18-month-old running into his arms shouting "dadda" as the best thing he'll ever experience. Your relationship with your child is the only relationship you get to define completely. But fatherhood is fragile, like an embryo. One criticism can make a dad step back entirely. We discuss maternal gatekeeping, the "same team" mantra he uses with his wife, and why society needs to celebrate dads stepping up without adding more labor to moms' lists. The goal is simple: make dads flex their fatherhood loudly and proudly.

Connect with Terrance:
Website: www.afrodaddyonline.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afrodaddyct/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfroDaddyCT/

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