New Course in Roscommon Aims to Boost Father–Son Relationships
Are you a dad? Or a step-dad or a grandfather?
Are you and your son getting as much from your relationship as you could be? Are you someone that he can turn to in a crisis? Would you like to learn more about how you could provide support for him?
These are just some of the questions being addressed by ‘Raising Boys for Fathers’, an innovative RehabCare course taking place over two evenings on Tuesday, 23rd January and Tuesday, 30th January in Gleeson’s Town House, Roscommon town at 8 p.m. The course is designed to give fathers the information and confidence to manage and cope with their changing role in Irish society, and is particularly timely amid growing concerns about boys’ early school leaving, under-achievement at school, road traffic accidents and social isolation. It has been noted that levels of suicide among boys and young men are higher in Ireland than in other European countries.
Participants from across County Roscommon are invited to attend the course which is free to all participants. People can register their interest by contacting Collette Ryan, RehabCare on (086) 838 0218 or by emailing raisingboys@rehabcare.ie. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fathers will learn about research that shows that they can have a uniquely-positive impact on their children’s lives and development. The course will also address the role of fathers and how boyhood has changed over the past 20 years. This will be followed by a discussion on how fathers are perceived by their sons and what is happening for boys as they grow into men.
‘The “Raising Boys for Fathers” course will help fathers to improve their communication skills so that they are equipped and available to talk to their sons should they encounter any of life’s problems,’ said Collette Ryan, course co-ordinator, RehabCare.
‘It is an alarming fact that high levels of suicide are found among young Irish males. Although by no means predicting suicide, one of the many protective factors against suicide is the presence of a supportive, caring adult in a young person’s life. It is obvious that a good father–son relationship not only has a positive effect on the father and son, but also on society as a whole.’
Originally developed by the HSE North Western Area, the course has been successfully delivered in that region for the past six years. It will be delivered in Roscommon by specially-trained RehabCare facilitators whom are fathers themselves.
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