A Father’s Transformation: From Tradition to Empowerment

A.D. arrived in San Diego with his wife and eight daughters after leaving Afghanistan in 2024. Back home, he had grown up in a male-dominated and traditional environment where daughters were not allowed or encouraged to study. He strongly believed that a girl’s future depended on her husband, and that a father’s main duty was to find her a good husband who could support her financially.

When he joined the Fatherhood program, A.D. carried these same views and insisted that restricting daughters from outside was the safest way to protect his daughters. However, his first months in the U.S. were eye-opening. He saw women driving, teaching, working, and succeeding in many areas of life, roles he had never imagined for women. This cultural clash left him both confused and uncertain.

Through the Father2Child Program, sitting with other fathers, listening to discussions, and learning about fathers’ responsibilities in the U.S., he slowly began to change his perspective. He realized that daughters, just like sons, have the right to education and the ability to build their own futures.

Today, A.D. is proud to support his daughters in following their dreams. He encourages them to study in the fields they love, helps them choose their own career paths, and respects their decisions about the future. He attends his daughters’ school meetings (PTA), takes them on family picnics, and drops them off and picks them up from school.

This transformation has made him a role model for other Afghan fathers. By sharing his story, he shows that true fatherhood is not only about protection but also about empowerment, trust, and equal opportunity. His success proves that traditions can be honored while still embracing positive change in a new society.