Fatherhood: The Linchpin for the Prosperity of Our Next Generation and Family Legacies

As a devoted father of two happy, compassionate Gen Z adults and rising leaders, I'm continually guided by the tenets of faith, family, education, connection, and business. Yet, an alarming issue threatens these foundations — the crisis of fatherlessness in America.

The absence of caring fathers can trigger a cascade of grave issues — homelessness, crime, drug addiction, educational problems, and mental/behavioral disorders, among others.

As highlighted by Patrick Bet-David, a prominent entrepreneur and investor, in his talk "The Fatherless Crisis in America," a staggering 23% of U.S. children live in single-parent households, triple the global average of 7%.

Meanwhile, it is crucial to acknowledge the success stories of single mothers who have raised successful children against all odds. Still, in the vast majority of single-parent homes, the absence of a father can pose challenges to a child's journey towards realizing their full potential, potentially impacting future generations' ability to grow positively and contribute meaningfully to society.

I salute the single mothers who, amidst their challenges, have successfully raised their children. Their tenacity and resilience are a testament to the enduring power of love and commitment in the face of adversity.

Now, onto the issues of fatherlessness and poor fathering, addressing this crisis demands collective action from all societal sectors: families, schools, communities, and policy-makers.

• As fathers, we need to prioritize being loving and more present, cultivating an environment that promotes positive learning, growth, contribution, and at times, the necessary tough love.
• As members of society, we must voice the causes and effects of fatherlessness, endorse initiatives that tackle these issues effectively, and act as authentic, humble role models for children in our communities.

Moreover, we must recognize and respect the diversity in family structures and understand that every family situation is unique. The presence of committed, supportive adult role models is crucial, regardless of family composition.

The importance of the nuclear family, effective parenting, and the wisdom of seeking trusted, third-party, high-quality guidance cannot be overstated. As an award-winning Chief Mentor of Next-Gen Leaders and founder of ThreeEQ, my family business, I've dedicated my second career to echoing these principles.

On a greater scale, as a leading member of the B20, the G20's official forum representing the global business community (private sector), serving on its Future of Work, Employment, Skills, Human Capital, and Education Task Force, I strive to influence the G20 Leaders and their governments through the B20 in supporting the masses of families, students, and working adults worldwide.

At ThreeEQ, we share your high aspirations for your children and your desire to leave behind a meaningful legacy. We passionate about preparing and transforming Next Gen leaders for greatness and enhancing family and CEO legacies, through my award-winning Ivy League/elite college consulting and high-end career, life, executive, and family coaching.

I am committed to guiding the children of our private client families to prepare superbly well, achieve great outcomes key in their life stages, and grow into impactful, compassionate leaders, as well as contributing positively to society while enhancing their well-being, their pragmatic emotional, social, and leadership intelligence (“3EQ”), and their family legacies.

Our uniquely powerful, personalized 1-on-1 coaching and mentorship approach also eases the stress and anxiety that accompany legacy and succession planning, enabling you to avoid the pain of major opportunity costs down the line and to savor the joy and peace of mind that comes from knowing your family's future is secure. In my own family, playfully called the "MAfia", I value love, humor, and high standards in what matters. Our abundant success stories reflect the effectiveness of my method and pedagogy.

Together, we can foster an environment in which our children thrive, our families strengthen, and our future generations prosper. By also tackling the crisis of fatherlessness, we can pave the way for a future characterized by love, sound relationships, compassion, success, and the prosperity of our cherished family legacies.

How are you fostering growth in your Next Gens? You may find a wealth of actionable insights, including some of my Next Gen and family related talks and articles, on the ThreeEQ website. Please feel free to reach out to me. Join me in shaping the future of our Next Gens.

Cheers,

Jason Ma