Dr. Meg Meeker, the author of "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters," believes her father to be a powerful influence in her life. Since through her own medical practice she has seen many teens in trouble, she has concluded that a father is not only an important force in his daughter's life but also he shapes her life.
This book maintains the argument that, for a girl to grow up into a self-assured, well-adjusted, and happy woman, a strong, nurturing father is a must. The existence of a strong father in a girl's life is a foolproof protection from social failure, misery, drugs and alcohol, academic failure, eating disorders, and teen pregnancy, while being a catalyst for a rewarding emotional life, successful relationships, personal health and grooming, and academic achievement.
The writer addresses the fathers in second person--you, and tells them they, the fathers, only can give the support needed by backing up their daughters and standing between them and the threats that come from the outside world. The bond between a father and daughter is almost holy, and in the chapter "Teach Her Who God Is," the writer says, "When you look at your sleeping daughter, you are confronted with a spiritual reality that you can't deny. From the moment she was born, you sensed the awesomeness of her life, the fact that there is something mysterious and transcendent about it, that she goes beyond you and your spouse. A man can banter with his friends and colleagues about whether God exists. But a father looks at his daughter and knows."
The book has ten chapters with an introduction, afterword, acknowledgements, bibliography, notes, and index. The chapters in the book are:
* You Are the Most Important Man in Her Life
* She Needs a Hero
* You Are Her First Love
* Teach Her Humility
* Protect Her, Defend Her
* Pragmatism and Grit: Two of Your Greatest Assets
* Be the Man You Want Her to Marry
* Teach Her Who God Is
* Teach Her to Fight
* Keep Her Connected
The author, Meg Meeker, M.D., practices pediatric and adolescent medicine and counsels teens and parents. She is a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and also, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a fellow of the National Advisory Board of The Medical Institute. Her aim is to improve the all around health and welfare of teenagers. Dr. Meeker speaks on teen issues on nationally syndicated radio and television programs. Dr. Meeker also writes for Physician Magazine and was a contributor to The Complete Book of Baby and Child Care (Tyndale House Publishers). She lives and works in Traverse City, Michigan.
"Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters" is in hardcover with 267 pages and ISBN: 1596980125.
Reading this book, I felt what Dr. Meeker is trying to do is not against the feminist objective, but for it. Although her views may seem conservative at times, her goal is raising self-confident, happy women, and I can't think of anybody not wanting that.
