By Allan Shedlin
Founder, DADvocacy Consulting Group and the Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F)
#Daddying #FathersMatter #BuildingBridges #Fatherhood #ParentingForTheFuture #EngagedDads #FamilyWellness #FathersAndFamilies
Introduction: A Transformative Call to Action
Parenting is one of the most profound opportunities to create lasting change in the world. Yet, how we approach fatherhood often feels constrained by outdated stereotypes and societal expectations. As I prepare to share my journey and insights as the keynote speaker at the Drs. Ramon and Yolanda Nieves Family Affair Red Tie Red Dress Gala, part of the 26th International Families and Fathers Conference - Building Bridges this April in Los Angeles, I invite you to join me in reimagining what fatherhood can truly mean.
This is a call to all fathers, father figures, educators, policymakers, and community leaders: let's embrace the power of daddying—a concept rooted in nurturing, connection, and lifelong commitment to the well-being of our children. It's time to shift the narrative and recognize the profound impact fathers can have as engaged co-parents and caregivers.
What is Daddying? Breaking Stereotypes, Building Bridges
Thirty years ago, when I introduced the term daddying™, skeptics warned me that "real men" wouldn’t embrace it. Today, that skepticism has been disproven hundreds of times over through my interviews with fathers aged 16 to 104, spanning 20 countries. These conversations revealed a universal truth: men want to nurture, connect, and grow alongside their children—but they often lack the language or encouragement to express those desires.
Daddying transcends the one-time biological act of fathering. It is a lifelong commitment to being actively present in a child's life, nurturing their physical, emotional, intellectual, creative, moral, and spiritual well-being. It’s a role that extends beyond biological fathers, encompassing grandfathers, uncles, mentors, and other significant male figures in a child’s life.
Debunking Myths About Men and Emotions
In nearly every interview and informal conversation about daddying, a remarkable phenomenon occurs: men open up. They release decades of pent-up emotions, sharing their joys, regrets, and aspirations as fathers and sons. This emotional release often highlights what I call the "bookends of daddy yearning"—the longing for more engagement from our own fathers and the desire to be more present for our children.
Society has long perpetuated the myth that men are stoic, emotionally unavailable, or uninterested in nurturing. My work has shown otherwise. Fathers are yearning for opportunities to connect deeply and contribute meaningfully to their children’s lives.
Why Daddying Matters Now More Than Ever
In a world where rapid change and uncertainty dominate, the stability and love we provide as parents take on heightened importance. Research increasingly affirms that greater father involvement benefits not only children but also families and communities as a whole. Daddying is not just about parenting—it’s about creating healthier, more resilient societies.
The Daddying Movement, which I first identified in 2008, continues to gain momentum. Fathers are stepping into roles as capable co-parents, reshaping traditional notions of masculinity, and proving that nurturing is a strength, not a weakness. This movement is not a reaction to the women's movement but a parallel evolution—a recognition that both parents play integral roles in raising the next generation.
A Call to Action: Join the Movement
To all the fathers, father figures, and those who support them: let’s embrace daddying. Whether you are a father striving to build a deeper connection with your children, a mentor helping guide a young life, or a policymaker shaping family-support systems, your role matters. Together, we can create a world where every child feels loved, supported, and empowered to reach their potential.
If you’re attending the 26th International Families and Fathers Conference, I invite you to connect with me during the gala. Let’s celebrate the transformative power of fatherhood and share our stories, struggles, and triumphs. And if you can’t attend, I encourage you to explore how you can practice daddying in your own life or community.
Daddy on!
About Allan Shedlin
Allan Shedlin has devoted his life’s work to improving the odds for children and families. As the founder of the DADvocacy Consulting Group and the Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F), Allan has inspired countless fathers to embrace their nurturing instincts. He has conducted over 205 interviews with fathers worldwide and facilitated transformative workshops in settings ranging from Native American pueblos and prisons to corporate boardrooms and elementary schools.
His accolades include being the first male honored as a "Living Treasure" by Mothering Magazine, advising the Obama White House on fatherhood policy, and receiving the Father of the Year Award from the Fathers & Families Coalition of America in 2025. Allan holds degrees from Colgate University, Columbia University, and Fordham University, but considers his roles as D-A-D and GRAND D-A-D the most important "degrees" of all.
Connect with Allan Shedlin
🌐 Website: www.DADvocacyConsultingGroup.com
🎥 Director: Daddying Film Festival & Forum