The famous quote from The Patriot—”where you stand depends on where you sit”—may hold true during times of war, when life and death hang in the balance. However, in times of peace, it’s principles that shape our actions. For parents, these principles guide everyday decisions, influencing their choices and bringing deeper fulfillment to their lives.
Today, two fundamental principles are under attack—principles that apply to all parents, particularly fathers:
- Education is the cornerstone of a thriving society.
- Parents are the primary educators of their children.
These enduring truths are facing increasing scrutiny, especially in my home state of Virginia. Standards in education are declining, and the idea that parents are irreplaceable is being challenged.
James Madison, Virginian and Founding Father, famously said, “A diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.” At its core, the diffusion of knowledge relies on education and grassroots engagement. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed the long-standing decline in curricula and social norms in K-12 public schools—something many of us had taken for granted until the crisis brought it to light.
As schools struggled, the increased visibility of these issues triggered a powerful response from parents. The frustration over educational shortcomings sparked a wave of grassroots activism, with parents demanding accountability from school boards, as seen in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties. Governor Glenn Youngkin’s victory in Virginia was a direct result of this energized movement, which united parents across political lines. His administration has brought significant changes, such as banning “inherently divisive concepts” from classrooms and creating a tip line for reporting inappropriate teaching practices.
While the victory was a significant step, the fight for education freedom is far from over. Even with the strong involvement of parents, there is still a crucial gap—one that needs to be filled by more dads and grandfathers.
Moms and grandmothers are certainly more visible in the education reform movement, but dads are often missing from the front lines. Whether due to a lack of clear involvement opportunities or other reasons, the absence of fathers in this crucial movement is felt. Imagine how much more could be achieved in the fight for education freedom, curriculum transparency, pro-American education, and electing like-minded school board candidates if more dads fully joined the cause.
Despite the movement’s successes, it is clear that dads remain a key missing piece in the education reform efforts. Fortunately, initiatives like FreedomWorks Foundation’s Building Education for Students Together (BEST) have launched campaigns to bring more fathers into the fold. Their “BEST Dads and Dudes” initiative aims to energize and engage men in the fight for education freedom, starting in Virginia and expanding across the nation. But this is just one of many efforts; we need more fathers to get involved.
Dads, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. It’s an opportunity to transform our education system for the long term and create immediate, tangible results. The principles you hold dear are the foundation for action, and now is the time to act. Will you stand up for your children’s future and join the movement for change?