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Parenting Insights Inspired by Johnny Cash
One of my all-time favorite songs tells the story of a boy whose tough upbringing stems from a rather unorthodox decision made by his father before abandoning him and his mother—he names him Sue.
In the iconic track “A Boy Named Sue,” penned by Shel Silverstein and immortalized by the legendary Johnny Cash, we follow Sue as he navigates the challenges that come with his unusual name.
Some girl would giggle, and I’d turn bright red,
A guy would crack a joke, and I’d just lose my head.
I tell ya, life ain’t easy for a boy named Sue.
Sue grows up resilient and fierce, constantly on the move to escape the embarrassment his name brings. Fueled by a thirst for revenge, he eventually confronts his estranged father in a dingy saloon, and their reunion unfolds in an explosive showdown.
“My name is Sue! How do you do?
Now you’re gonna die!”
Their clash turns into a wild brawl, filled with punches and flying furniture. The chaos halts only when they pull guns on each other. At that moment, Dad reveals why he gave his son such a burdensome name.
“Son, this world is rough,
And if a man’s gonna make it, he’s gotta be tough.
I knew I wouldn’t be there to guide you along,
So I gave you that name, knowing it would make you strong.”
With a newfound understanding of his father’s intentions, Sue finds it in his heart to forgive him. Whenever he surmounts life’s hurdles, he recalls the lessons imparted through that name.
As a devoted fan of Johnny Cash, this song resonates with me now more than ever. I find myself reflecting on parenting lessons as my young son, Alex (not Sue), embarks on his kindergarten journey. This transition has sparked a personal dilemma reminiscent of the father in the song—though I assure you, I’m not abandoning my family!
You see, I’m an avid New York Giants supporter, having grown up in North Jersey during the ‘80s and ‘90s, just a stone’s throw from the team’s home ground. I’ve endured the rough patches and reveled in their four Super Bowl victories. However, for the last 15 years, I’ve resided in Philadelphia—Eagles territory.
Philly often gets an undeserved reputation for being tough, especially in the realm of sports (who could forget the infamous incident when Eagles fans booed Santa Claus?). I often hear some amusing comments while wearing my Giants gear during game days.
At 37, I can handle the playful jabs. Yet, I begin to worry about Alex. At his age, he’s just starting to grasp the game of football, and our Sunday afternoons are filled with his curious questions. What does that yellow line mean? Who’s that team in green? How many points for a touchdown? I cherish these bonding moments.
But here’s the dilemma: should I encourage him to cheer for the Giants and risk him facing ridicule from his classmates, most of whom are likely die-hard Eagles fans? The thought of my son feeling isolated because of a sports team breaks my heart. Yet, could this be an opportunity for him to develop resilience, just as Sue did?
As the two teams gear up to face off on Monday Night Football, I anticipate plenty of chatter among the kids at school. Yet, I realize my worries may be unfounded. In typical six-year-old fashion, Alex will probably choose his own team to root for—unfazed by my influence or jersey color. And honestly, that might be the best outcome.
He just better not end up a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. That would be a whole different kind of problem!
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Summary
This article draws parenting wisdom from Johnny Cash’s song “A Boy Named Sue,” reflecting on how tough experiences can build resilience. It narrates a father’s dilemma about whether to encourage his son to be a Giants fan in Eagles territory, ultimately realizing that children often forge their own paths.