Sangha of Auspicious Companions

How Fathers Today Are Reshaping Parenthood

Today, millennial fathers spend triple the time with their children compared to dads in the 1960s. Paul Bent, 40, is redefining what it means to be a dad — a 180-degree turnaround from his own childhood where Bent’s father was on the periphery of his life. “So many times, I sat at the window waiting for my dad to turn up because he told me he would, and then he wouldn’t,” Bent recalls. “That heartbreaking disappointment, I just don’t want [my son] to go through that.” With his own child, Bent is not just present, but passionately engaged. From football practice to nighttime chats, Bent’s rituals with his son, Hunter, focus on trust, kindness, and respect. Hunter’s small acts, like collecting cones or reminding his aunt to wipe her feet, highlight the powerful impact of Bent’s parenting approach. “Just before Hunter goes to sleep, we have this little two or three-minute conversation, about his day and how he’s feeling,” Bent shares. It’s a deepening era of fatherhood—rooted in presence, love, and the values that shape the next generation.

Be The Change

Spend quality time with a child in your life, focusing on listening and engaging in their favorite activities.