Atticus on How to be a Father

He says: As a father myself, I felt like Harper Lee was reading my mind when she wrote the following (Atticus is speaking):

"Sometimes I think I’m a total failure as a parent, but I’m all they’ve got. Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I’ve tried to live so I can look squarely back at him...."

Atticus has tried to live by showing respect for all of his fellow human beings, without regard to their skin color, age, or gender. In a word, Atticus tries to live the Golden Rule. That's the example he's setting for his children.

Just think how much nicer our day-to-day lives would be if everyone tried to do the same!

She says: Interestingly, I think your approach to parenting is somewhat unique. I don't know a lot of parents that would see their children enough as equals to apply the Golden Rule. Certainly, I believe there are some age restraints one must consider, as I HOPE I am still intellectually superior to my 5 year old, however, when it comes to how I treat her emotionally, I believe perhaps we have stumbled onto some common ground. Just as I don't like to be told how to feel, she doesn't either, just as I'm not fond of being told what to do, neither is she. So, while the role of Mother will still be played by yours truly, there are ways in which we can all re-evaluate how we apply The Golden Rule in our day-to-day with others, ESPECIALLY our children. Atticus' example is a brilliant reminder.

He says: I agree that you can't treat children the same way that you treat adults. Kids have to grow into their rights and responsibilities. But there are parents, like Atticus, who treat their children with real respect no matter what age their children are, while there are many other parents who, well, don't.

You obviously respect your children; acknowledging that your 5 year old's emotions are just as valid as your own is very Atticusian! :)

Back to the book. You know, I'm not sure if Atticus raised Jem and Scout the way he did because it was his philosophy to do so--or whether he just did the best he could as a single parent and raising them way he did was the line of least friction.

Aunt Alexandra thought he was doing an inadequate job as a father. But if you judge a parent by the actions of his children, to me it seems like Atticus was doing fine.