Dads can learn a lot from the lyrics of Madonna’s song ‘Papa Don’t Preach’.
If you’ve been emotionally distant or have an estranged relationship and want to reconnect, start by getting to know what tween, teen and adult aged daughters need from you.
Unlike the hurt shared by numerous female artists in their songs, this one seems to indicate they had a reasonably good father-daughter bond:
- ‘Cause I was always your little girl
- You always taught me right from wrong
- The one you warned me all about
- The one you said I could do without
- What I need right now is some good advice, please
Although the song is about getting unintentionally pregnant, fathers can still gain valuable insights into what a daughter needs when she makes mistakes or gets herself into trouble.
This is what she thinks:
I’m not a baby … I may be young at heart But I know what I’m saying … But I made up my mind
What she needs is for you to:
- Be Strong – be the pillar for her to rely on and the father to depend on
- Give your Blessing – she is seeking reassurance, acceptance and approval
- Share Good Advice – not instructions, not criticisms, not lame feedback
- Don’t Preach – just listen and be there for her
Have a read through (or sing it out loud):
Papa Don’t Preach (Madonna)
Papa I know you’re going to be upset
‘Cause I was always your little girl
But you should know by now
I’m not a baby
You always taught me right from wrong
I need your help, daddy please be strong
I may be young at heart
But I know what I’m saying
The one you warned me all about
The one you said I could do without
We’re in an awful mess
And I don’t mean maybe, please
Papa don’t preach I’m in trouble deep
Papa don’t preach, I’ve been losing sleep
But I made up my mind, I’m keeping my baby, hm
I’m gonna keep my baby, hm
He says that he’s going to marry me
We can raise a little family
Maybe we’ll be all right
It’s a sacrifice
But my friends keep telling me to give it up
Saying I’m too young, I oughta live it up
What I need right now is some good advice, please
Papa don’t preach, I’m in trouble deep
Papa don’t preach, I’ve been losing sleep
But I made up my mind, I’m keeping my baby, hm
I’m gonna keep my baby, ooh ooh
Daddy, daddy if you could only see
Just how good he’s been treating me
You’d give us your blessing right now
‘Cause we are in love
We are in love (in love), so please (so)
Papa don’t preach, I’m in trouble deep
Papa don’t preach, I’ve been losing sleep
But I made up my mind, I’m keeping my baby, hm
I’m gonna keep my baby, ooh ooh
Papa don’t preach, I’m in trouble deep
Papa don’t preach, I’ve been losing sleep
Papa don’t preach, I’m in trouble deep
Papa don’t preach, I’ve been losing sleep
Papa don’t preach (Oh, I’m gonna keep my baby)
Papa don’t preach (Ooh)
Papa don’t preach (Don’t stop loving me daddy)
Papa don’t preach (I know I’m keeping my baby)
The requests that Madonna makes to her dad are what most daughters need.
Don’t be constantly lecturing, teaching or forcing your views upon her. Just understand her, accept her, and offer useful advice selectively.