Online Reporter
Rutendo Gwatidzo-Changing Perspectives
Tomorrow is Fathers’ Day. Happy Fathers’ Day in advance to all fathers. Families across the world will celebrate with gifts, messages, lunches, and warm photographs just to mention a few.
But, behind many smiles are men carrying silent emotional burdens — fathers who are constantly busy, providing, solving problems, yet quietly feeling empty inside.
Based on my HR work exposure, there is a growing emotional crisis among many men today. A crisis hidden behind boardroom presentations, work uniforms, business trips, overtime schedules, and forced smiles.
The Man Who Never Sat Down!
A senior executive once shared a story that perfectly captures the reality of many fathers today. For nearly 10 years, he worked tirelessly for his family. He paid school fees, built a respectable career, bought groceries, solved crises, and ensured everyone around him was comfortable.
But one evening as he was about to go home, sitting alone in his car after work, he broke down emotionally. Not because he lacked money or because he had failed professionally. But because he realized he no longer knew who he was outside responsibility.
His life had become an endless cycle of deadlines, bills, repairs, meetings, expectations, and pressure. He was physically present everywhere but emotionally absent from himself.
“I am busy every day,” he admitted when I reached out to him, “but inside, I feel empty.” His story reminded me of many fathers today who are surviving, not truly living. Many men and fathers are not failing because they are weak, they are simply tired.
Tired of carrying financial pressure, pretending to always have answers. Society often teaches men that vulnerability is weakness. Fathers are expected to provide, protect, lead, absorb pressure, and remain emotionally composed no matter what storms they face.
When the family panics, fathers must stay calm. When finances collapse, fathers must find solutions. When life becomes difficult, fathers are expected to become anchors and the list is long. But, who supports the anchor?
The truth is that even strong men become emotionally exhausted. Some fathers silently battle depression, disappointment, financial stress, broken dreams, strained marriages, career frustrations, or feelings of inadequacy. Others feel disconnected from their own children because work consumes every ounce of their energy. Yet, many continue moving forward quietly.
Busy Is Not Always Fulfilment!
Modern culture glorifies busyness. We celebrate packed schedules, constant hustling, overtime work, and nonstop productivity. But, busyness is not the same as peace, fulfilment, or emotional wellness. A father can provide financially, yet feel emotionally bankrupt. He can inspire employees but feel disconnected at home. He can lead meetings confidently while privately fighting exhaustion. Many fathers have mastered survival but forgotten how to rest emotionally.
This is why Father’s Day should become more than celebration. It should become a moment of restoration and reflection. Not every father needs another necktie. Some need encouragement. Some need appreciation and some simply need to hear these words,“We see your sacrifices.”
The Fathers Who Keep Showing Up!
One of the greatest demonstrations of love is consistency. The father who keeps showing up despite disappointment deserves honour. Allow me readers to take this opportunity to appreciate the two most important men in my life at this moment – my father (Sekuru Cuthbert Mugwara) and my husband (Dr Munyaradzi A Gwatidzo) for being resent always, even when you probably feel like running away and never come back. You continue to re-build with grace even after failure.
Let Us Celebrate Them All!
There are fathers working multiple jobs to keep dreams alive. Some are raising children who are not theirs. Some are rebuilding after divorce, unemployment, loss, or financial collapse. Some are quietly fighting emotional battles while trying not to fall apart in front of their families. That resilience is extraordinary.
A Note to the Absent Father!
To the father who walked away emotionally, physically, or spiritually, this is not written to shame you, but to challenge you. Children do not only remember what you gave materially. They remember your presence, words, guidance, and consistency. Absence creates wounds that sometimes last for years. No amount of money fully replaces emotional presence.
Yes, life may have become complicated. Relationships may have broken down. Pride, disappointment, mistakes, or conflict may have pushed you away. But fatherhood does not end because circumstances changed.
Please return to your children and do the right thing. You can still make and act on that decision today.
The world does not need perfect fathers. It needs present fathers. Your child may not need perfection. They may simply need your effort, time, voice, and willingness to try again. Do not allow ego, guilt, or fear to destroy what can still be restored.
To Mothers Carrying Both Roles!
To every mother carrying both motherhood and fatherhood responsibilities, do not tire – our heroes. You probably attend school meetings alone, pay bills alone, comfort children alone, and making hard decisions alone, while still finding strength to keep going. Some nights you cry silently after everyone sleeps.
Some mornings you wake up unsure how you will survive the day or month but somehow, you continue. We salute you today, that strength deserves honour.
Your sacrifices matter more than you realize. Children raised by resilient, nurturing, disciplined, and courageous mothers often develop extraordinary emotional strength because they witnessed perseverance firsthand. You may feel overlooked, but your love is creating stability, identity, and hope for your children. Keep going, keep nurturing, keep believing and keep building. One day your children will fully understand the battles you fought quietly for them. And they will honour you for it together with other silent admirers of your strength.
Rutendo Gwatidzo is a human capital executive and managing consultant at The HUB HR Consultancy. She is a multi-Award winning leader, transformational speaker and coach. She is also the author of Born to Fight and Breaking the Silence books. Contact details – 0714575805/ [email protected] / Rutendo Gwatidzo_Official FB public page.
