Protecting Our Teens – Your February Men IN Action Newsletter

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month 

So, your question may be: What is that, and why did I need to know? I would say there are (or could be) 2 reasons. One is called your son, and the other is called your daughter. Yes, your kids. If you have no kids, it could be a niece or nephew. 

Just recently I heard that domestic violence is now being shown as early at 6th grade . . . Yes, you read that right – 6th grade. That should scare us as men. 

So, as a Man IN Action, what should you do?  

First thing is to pray over your kids and your kids’ future spouses. Read Doug Keele’s article from October 17, 2024, for more details. Second thing is to read the Bible. Scripture like Proverbs 22:6 (New Living Translation): Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. 

See, as a Man IN Action you are called to be the spiritual leader in your home. For our sons, we are to share with them what it is to be a man, husband, and father. We do this not only in our words but also our actions. We all want our sons to grow up and be great men treating their wives and children with honor and respect. It is never too late to get them on the right track. 

For our daughters, we want them to see how a man is to treat them in both word and actions. We want them to see this in how we treat their moms and in how we treat them as a young girl and especially in their teen years. We should be praying them into a relationship that we know is safe and life giving. 

The more we do our part, the better chance our kids will have of not becoming that boy, man, girl, or woman who becomes an abuser.   

Be a Man IN Action for your kids today by talking about healthy relationships, showing them daily, and keeping the lines of communication open for them to share about their current relationships. You never know if it will save their life now or in the future.   

Rob Hovermale
Pastor, Author, A Man IN Action