I’m the oldest of four girls, raised by a single mother. Sadly, godly men were not abundant in our family.
According to the National Center for Fathering, almost every social ill faced by America’s children is related to fatherlessness. Their article “The Consequences of Fatherlessness” states that:
Being raised by a single mother raises the risk of teen pregnancy, marrying with less than a high school degree, and forming a marriage where both partners have less than a high school degree. [1]
Here is where this gets personal; I am the poster child for this very statement.
It only takes a few godly men to change an entire generation.
My son was born just 2 months after I turned 18. We were joyful, but neither my husband nor I were emotionally, financially, or mentally ready for what was to come.
Thankfully, at this particular time, two men, re-entered our lives.
My mom’s brother and my newly retired father-in-law.
The influence of these men, in both mine and my husband’s life, shaped the very core of our character.
My uncle was the only godly man I personally knew. He was the only man in my life, who lived according to God’s word. My father-in-law was the only man in my life who chose to be a father daily. The only man who didn’t see walking away from his family as the better option.
So what does all this have to do with raising godly boys who respect women?
A whole lot.
The plea from a mom of girls.
Raising godly boys, who respect women is very near and dear to my heart. Because, after my son was born, the Lord gave me five girls.
Our society sees women as sex objects. Society sees them as temporary playthings, disposable one night stands.
- Per a 2017 report, single motherhood is now the new norm, and about 17.2 million children, are being raised without a father. [2]
- According to a 2015 NBC News report, porn is a 97 billion dollar industry, globally. Our society has a huge problem, and though porn addiction may be caused by many things, it’s stem is a lack of respect for women. [3]
- At least one-third of all women murdered in the U.S. are killed by their male partners, and 85% of domestic abuse victims, are female. [4]
It’s an epidemic. The numbers and percentages grow larger year by year.
5 Ways You Can Teach Your Boys to Respect Women
As mothers and fathers of boys, we must rise up, and be the change makers.
1. Teach them empathy.
This should be a daily lesson. You should teach your sons to put themselves in the shoes of the women in their lives.
2. Teach them the meaning of no.
No, does not mean “yes”, or “maybe”, or “ask me again later”. Imagine all that would be solved if we learned to accept the meaning of no.
3. Teach them about limits.
We have all been told we can do anything. We’ve even told our children that anything is possible if they put their minds to it, as a means of encouraging them. Yet, failing to teach them about limits is detrimental.
Limits and boundaries allow us to see our inadequacy and our need for Christ.
4. Teach them to see sex as a gift, not a god.
I remember middle school. Do you?
Teach your boys that sex is a gift from God. A gift worthy of a husband and wife. Not a god worthy of worship.
5. Teach them to be gentlemen.
Chivalry is not dead. Teach your boys to defend a woman’s honor. To open doors, and pull out chairs. Teach them to treat all women, as their mother and sisters ought to be treated.
Raising godly boys, who respect women is our job.
It is not enough to teach our boys to work hard, to be kind and responsible. It’s not enough to teach them to be good productive members of society.
But furthermore, we must teach them to be Christ-like and to seek His kingdom first. And teach them to love the way Christ loved, and that every life is of value; male and female.
How are you teaching your boys to respect women?
[1] The Consequences of Fatherlessness
[2] Single Mother Statistics
[3] NBC News
[4] Huffpost
Resource for Boy Moms:
Praying for Boys and The Gospel-Centered Mom by Brooke McGlothlin of The Mob Society!
Jessica is a follower of Christ, wife, and mother of three energetic boys. She writes about homeschooling, frugal living, motherhood, intentional living and everything in between. Her heart is to inspire and encourage others to live an intentional life.