Well, when I was 19 years old, and before I was saved, I dated some really horrible men. It's weird, but something deep within me wanted my dad's approval or disapproval of the men I had begun dating although my parents acknowledged I was an adult capable of making my own decisions. There were times I was 'stuck' in unhealthy relationships and I just wanted some sort of protective figure to come and rescue me from them and declare, 'That's my daughter, take your hands off her!'. I remember telling my dad some crazy stories, waiting for a reaction, and he just shrugged the matter off. My father never stepped out of his passive role and idly sat back as I made one massive mistake after another.
I am 24 years old now, and although I am a lot wiser than I was (still an area I have much left to be desired), I still want my father's approval. Although I agree with most and would consider it unnecessary for a man to ask my father's permission to date me, I would still appreciate it if my parents 'screened' the man whom I was getting to know earlier on in the relationship. I've never been married, they have been married for almost thirty years, they know a lot more about this area than I do.
At the end of the day, my father may never step up to that role, but I do have a heavenly father that is crazy protective about me and would only want the best for me. I'm so glad that I can rest in the fact that, if for some reason, I find myself in some unhealthy situation, He is ready to barge down some doors and yell, 'That's MY daughter you're mistreating!'.
I am 24 years old now, and although I am a lot wiser than I was (still an area I have much left to be desired), I still want my father's approval. Although I agree with most and would consider it unnecessary for a man to ask my father's permission to date me, I would still appreciate it if my parents 'screened' the man whom I was getting to know earlier on in the relationship. I've never been married, they have been married for almost thirty years, they know a lot more about this area than I do.
At the end of the day, my father may never step up to that role, but I do have a heavenly father that is crazy protective about me and would only want the best for me. I'm so glad that I can rest in the fact that, if for some reason, I find myself in some unhealthy situation, He is ready to barge down some doors and yell, 'That's MY daughter you're mistreating!'.
Wow, I know exactly what you're talking about. My Dad died when I was 16 after that I was sort of on my own guide in the dating dept. I have 3 older brothers none of which ever said anything to the jerks I dated. I guess maybe they weren't sure if they should. But I know what you mean, I wanted someone to do what you said, be crazy protective of me like that. My Dad was like that. I could have just used some guidance someone to tell me, listen let's talk about your self esteem. It sure would have helped.