Fathers, Family, and the Fight Against Human Trafficking

In a thought-provoking episode of the Looking Beneath the Surface podcast, hosts Tara Hilliard and Monique Cooley welcome guest Patrick Erlandson to examine how responsible fatherhood can help counter societal issues like human trafficking. By blending personal stories, compelling statistics, and cultural observations, they make a compelling case for why engaged dads can act as a powerful line of defense against exploitation.

Confronting the Trafficking Crisis

The conversation begins with sobering realities: human trafficking is a $150 billion industry, and children make up nearly a quarter of its victims. Erlandson shares a heart-wrenching account from Africa, where vulnerable children fleeing conflict were deceived by opportunistic groups and subjected to brutal exploitation. The story is a stark illustration of what can happen when children—especially those without strong parental support—fall prey to predators. Far from being a distant issue, trafficking is also found in communities worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for education, legislation, and vigilant communities.

Why Fatherhood Matters

At the core of Erlandson’s message is the transformative impact of a loving father. He cites statistics revealing that 17.8 million children in the U.S. grow up without a consistent father figure—a gap that leaves many susceptible to harmful influences. When a dad is present, he says, children gain a sense of security, worth, and resilience. Erlandson shares a poignant story about a trafficking survivor who wanted nothing more than to see her father’s love for her mother. That everyday demonstration of affection could have provided the emotional anchor she needed.

While providing materially is important, Erlandson emphasizes that a father’s day-to-day engagement—teaching life skills, offering support and guidance, even playing—shapes a child’s understanding of trust and empathy. It’s in these seemingly ordinary moments that profound lessons about respect, responsibility, and love take root.

Changing Family Structures and Cultural Shifts

The podcast also examines how family dynamics have evolved, particularly since the 1960s. Erlandson suggests that while movements like feminism and advances like birth control were pivotal for women’s rights, they also contributed to redefining traditional roles within families. This shift, he argues, can sometimes leave children without the consistent presence of a father figure who models responsible manhood. Media depictions often reinforce this fatherless narrative, mirroring a cultural trend of undervaluing paternal roles.

Compounding the issue is a pervasive culture of instant gratification, marked by the easy accessibility of pornography and the addictive nature of social media. For children who lack the emotional grounding that an engaged father provides, these influences can distort their understanding of relationships and encourage destructive behavior.

Reclaiming Fatherhood and Responsibility

Erlandson insists that it’s time for men to reclaim their roles as fully present fathers. This doesn’t simply mean breadwinning; it means taking an active interest in children’s emotional and moral development. He challenges fathers to resist material distractions and focus on building genuine connections with their kids—connections that foster self-worth, discernment, and a robust moral compass.

Father Con: Where Inspiration Meets Action

To drive this vision forward, Erlandson and his team have created Father Con, scheduled for October 11–12 at Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson, California. The event welcomes all who believe in the power of fatherly influence—dads, community members, and family supporters. Friday evening features keynote speaker Dondre Whitfield (author of Male vs. Man), who will share Christ-centered perspectives on fatherhood. Saturday offers around 25 workshops on topics like cyber safety, legal support, and combating trafficking, plus a resource fair brimming with organizations that champion strong families.

By bringing together experts, advocates, and fathers themselves, Father Con seeks to spark renewed commitment to active fatherhood as a shield against exploitation. Erlandson’s final call to action is simple yet profound: fathers who show up—who practice love, responsibility, and trust—can reshape culture and help protect children from a world rife with dangerous temptations. For more information, visit www.father-con.org