LIKE FATHER LIKE SON

The movie behind the mask is based on the true story of Dr. Robert Shushan, an overworked clinic director and absent father to his son, Brian. After suffering a heart attack, his life is saved by a patient, James Jones, an unlikely hero is made and a rare friendship born that proves to be life-altering for them both. James Jones deep hunger and longing for his Father sets Dr. Shushan in a wild goose chase to look for James Jones real father.

 Dr. Shushan finally finds James father, Mr. Jones and that completely turns around Dr. Shushan’s relationship with his own son Brian, who also like his father is an absent father to his own son. Behind the mask not only reminds us all to remember what’s truly important in our lives, but that what as father’s we do to our sons, they too will do it to their own sons.

They say that, the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree.  The children who resent their father’s behavior often unknowingly mimic that behavior. It seems to be a natural tendency. When a child is hurt by his father, he relates to others the way his father related to him and that’s why we are seeing a lot of irresponsible men who are not ready to commit or who when they commit are breaking the hearts of their spouses. They don’t know just how to be a good husband, lover or father to their children.

A father’s influence can therefore not be minimized especially in the life of his son. According to an Absent Father Syndrome Psychologist, There is a warrior in the heart of a boy.  When there is no father, his aggression is either stifled or charged resulting in passive or violent behavior. And this is what we are grappling with in our society today.

Our fathers are carried around inside us long after they have died. We continue to model them, dialogue with them, and listen to them, even after they have gone or we have left home. And if we are not careful we copy from them in the way we treat our wives or parent our kids. That’s why we need Fathers who are present and active in our lives for that is what every child, and especially the boy child is looking for. Happy Father’s day!