FATHERHOOD AS A VALUE IN FAMILY RELATIONS (BASED ON MATERIALS FROM POLISH AND BULGARIAN PAREMIOLOGY)

Abstract

The role of the father in the family reveals both stable and transformative features. The aim of this study is to determine their effectiveness and long-term relevance within the family circle, using examples from Polish and Bulgarian paremiology. The pursuit of building harmonious family relationships assumes the wise upbringing of children, as well as the revival of certain forgotten ethical values and a re-evaluation of mental stereotypes about men as fathers. The proverbial textual material serves only as an illustration and evidence of the observations made and theses proposed; it is not the subject of linguistic analysis. The methods used include: the method of semantic analysis, the method of psychological conceptualization, and the comparative method. The father is a personification of the values upheld by society. These values often do not align with the needs and expectations of the son during the fragile period of childhood. Whether a young person will be able to face life’s challenges with dignity in the future—without sacrificing personal happiness—depends largely on the father's educational approach.