Are Fathers Crucial for Child Development?

A great emphasis is placed on the relationship between a mother and child, however, is the importance of a father’s involvement in his child’s life being overlooked? The role of the father in a child’s life and influence on his cognitive, social, and emotional health is irreplaceable. There are many positive characteristics that an involved father imparts on his child. Father’s are known to be more playful with children, which allows the child to learn and explore boundaries. The effects of a father’ positive involvement in a child’s life is crucial for a healthy development. I will be outlining the components of an involved father, looking at the positive effects of fathers through different life-stages of children, and the negative effects that an uninvolved or absent father has on a child. I will also be discussing ways that a father can become more involved in his child’s life.

The healthy involvement of a father in a child’s life is based on three traits; engagement, availability, and responsibility.[1] An involved father must be in direct contact and share experiences with his child. The father must be accessible and present for the child and make arrangements for resources to be available for his child. Based on the report “The Effects of Father Involvement: An Updated Research Summary of the Evidence” written by researchers Sarah Allen, Ph.D., and Kerry Daly, Ph.D., an involved father is sensitive, warm, close, friendly, supportive, intimate, nurturing, affectionate, encouraging, comforting, and accepting.[2] Involved fathers ask their children many questions and give them responsibilities.

The father’s influence on children cannot be adequately conceptualized only in terms of father-child interactions; it has to be understood in a broader family context.[3] Marital quality has a direct impact on a child’s wellbeing. One of the most important influences a father can have on his child is indirect.[4] Fathers play an important role in marriage. The father’s influence on his children has a direct correlation to the relationship that the father has with his wife. A father, who has a good relationship with the mother of his children, is more likely to spend quality time with their kids and have children who are psychologically and emotionally healthier.[5] Women who are emotionally supported by husbands have better pregnancies, births, breastfeeding experiences, and better post-partum mental health.[6] When mothers are supported and encouraged by their husbands, it allows the mother to better nurture the child. Involved fathers are linked to stronger marriages. In healthy marriages, fathers are more likely to be involved in childcare responsibilities. Another benefit of a constructive and positive relationship between parents is that it serves as a model for children when they develop their own relationships.[7] A positive and healthy marriage teaches children how to provide emotional support, deal with conflict positively, and be respectful and communicate well.

There are numerous positive cognitive, emotional, and social effects that a father’s involvement has on a child’s life, beginning in infancy. At 2 to 25 weeks, fathers provide staccato bursts of physical and social stimulation.[8] From as young as 5 months, studies have confirmed that a father’s involvement can have powerful effects on a child’s cognitive development. Infants score higher on measures of cognitive development if they have highly involved fathers.[9] The more time fathers spend with their babies the better the father understands cues, which helps create a stronger attachment. Babies are more securely attached to fathers the more time they spend with them. Fathers can create an attachment with their infants by paying attention to cues, responding consistently and compassionately.[10] Fathers should also keep babies physically close to promote feelings of safety and security. When a father talks, reads and sings to his baby, the child is comforted by his father’s voice which strengthens the attachment. In babies over 6 months of age, fathers tend to engage in more physically stimulating and unpredictable play.[11] Dads must play age-appropriate games with their babies to help the child learn about limits and boundaries and experience a range of emotions.[12]

By 1 year, children whose fathers are more involved have a higher cognitive functioning.[13] Toddlers with involved fathers have better problem-solving abilities. The way that fathers play with toddlers in a one on one interaction is stimulating and allows the child to regulate feelings. Father’s tend to promote independence and orientation to the outside world and push their child to achievement.[14] Toddlers with involved fathers start school with higher levels of academic readiness and are able to handle the stresses and functions associated with schooling.[15] As children enter preschool, fathers encourage sex-role development. Most young children see their fathers as a source of strength and security.[16] To a growing boy, the father is the ideal model of how to act and behave. As children enter school-age years, studies show that children, especially boys, who experience a nurturing and involved father, receive cognitive advantages.[17] The father’s involvement in direct encouragement of skills, like counting and reading are directly associated with the child’s performance.

As children get older, father involvement helps them live a more satisfied life with less emotional distress, negative feelings, and anxiety.[18] An involved father in the life of an adolescent cuts the risk of antisocial behavior problems. It is crucial that fathers spend time with their adolescent children. Fathers may become less involved as adolescents attempt to gain autonomy and establish an identity separate from the family.[19] The adolescent years are a time of transition as teenagers are trying to gain power; therefore, fathers may lose power in their relationship with their child. For adolescents and young adults, the nurturing style of father’s involvement is associated with better verbal skills, intellectual functioning, and academic achievement.[20] Teenagers and young adult’s cognitive development is positively impacted through critical thinking, motivation, communication skills, and independence.[21] Socially, young adults are better adjusted, dependable, and have higher levels of self-acceptance with an involved father in their lives.

There are many negative effects on children with an uninvolved father. Children can become excessively dependent on their mother. Children can also become rebellious and be difficult to control.[22] Girls expect men to act like their father does; therefore, when the father is not present, girls have a harder time knowing how she should be treated. In addition, girls with involved respectful fathers are less involved in violent and unhealthy relationships.[23] Boys with an absent father are more likely to show aggressive behaviour. A boy that is rejected by his father has difficulty learning to be a man.[24] Children of an uninvolved father are also prone to more stress and anxiety, have poorer social skills and have an increased risk of drug or alcohol abuse.[25]

School-aged children without an involved father are more likely to have problems in school performance.[26] These children may have lower scores on achievement tests, and on intellectual ability and intelligence tests.[27] Children may experience behaviour problems at school like disobedience, difficulty paying attention, or have poor attendance. Emotionally and cognitively, children may have difficulty in internalizing and externalizing behaviour.[28] Negatively internalizing behaviour can result in depression and anxiety in children and adolescents. Socially, teenagers can have troubles in getting along with other children and are at risk of peer problems.[29] Adolescents who live without their father are more likely to engage in earlier sexual activity. Teenage or young parents may continue the cycle that their father started with not being involved in their child’s life.[30]

Fathers that are looking to become more involved in their childrens lives must believe that they have the potential and ability to be the second-greatest influence in his child’s development.[31] Fathers are generally less sensitive than mothers and may assume less responsibility than the mother in child-rearing. It is crucial that fathers spend time with his child through all stages of growth as children form attachments provided that a sufficient amount of father interaction takes place.[32] The U.S Department of Health and Human Services reported why spending time with children is crucial in becoming a more involved father. [33] When fathers spend time with their child, the child will feel cared for and loved. If a father has more than one child, he should spend individual time with each child. The time that father’s spend with children should be filled with playing, having fun, being active and physical.[34] The father must engage in productive activities with kids like household chores, educational activities, and reading which promotes intellectual growth in children.[35]

The way that fathers discipline their children is crucial in positive involvement. Father’s need to be aware of the influence he has on his child. Paternal consistent discipline is associated with likable, autonomous, imaginative, and confident behaviour in boys, and well-socialized, friendly, and dependable behaviour in girls.[36] In disciplining, fathers should control emotions, body language, and their hands.[37] Fathers must also communicate guidelines with children.[38] There must be consistency in parenting from the mother and father so that children understand the standard of behaviour is the same for both parents. If a father wants to be more involved in his child’s life, he must put an effort in his relationship with the child’s mother. This may not always be the easiest as parents may have difficulty in marriage or are divorced. Children are affected by the feelings that their mother has towards the missing or distant father. If the father is absent in the home and the mother is antagonistic towards the children’s father, the children are more aggressive than children whose mothers are affectionate and miss the absent or uninvolved father.[39]

The healthy involvement of the father in a child’s life is crucial in the development of children. Father’s have a special relationship with their children. The way that a father plays and interacts with his child throughout different stages of life, teaches children valuable life-long lessons. The positive involvement of fathers in the life of his child allows the child to form an emotional attachment. In infancy, fathers can be involved in responding to cues of his child. As children grow older, fathers promote curiosity and exploration through play. In adolescent and young adult years, it is crucial for fathers to be supportive and encouraging in academic and social activities. In all their efforts fathers must be supported and encouraged to develop and grow in their relationship with their child as their influence on children is invaluable.

Bibliography:

Bell, Deidre. “The Importance of Dads” Boba. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.

.

Fox, Greer L., Vey M. Nordquist, Rhett M. Billen, and Emily Furst Savoca. Father Involvement and Early Intervention: Effects of Empowerment and Father Role Identity. Family Relations 64.4 (2015): 461-75. The Effects of Father Involvement: An Updated Research Summary of the Evidence. University of Guelph, 2007. Web. 14 Mar. 2017. .

Hamilton, Marshall L. Father’s Influence on Children. Chicago: Nelson-Hall, 1977. Print

Hosier, David. Childhood Trauma: The Possible Effects of Uninvolved Parents. Child Abuse, Trauma, and Recovery.MSc, 17 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.

Jeffrey, Rosenberg and Wilcox W. Bradford. The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children. Child Abuse and Neglect User Manuel Series.( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, 2006. Web. 23 Feb. 2017).

Michael E. Lamb. “The Role of the Father in Child Development.” Canada: John Wiley & Sons 1997. Print.

Munsinger, Harry. Fundamentals of Child Development. United States of America: Holt,

Rinehart and Winston, 1971. Print.

[1] Deirdre, Bell. The Importance of Dads. ( Boba. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.)

.

[2] Ibid, Feb 24^th, 2017

[3] Michael E. Lamb. The Role of the Father in Child Development. (Canada: John Wiley & Sons),

1997. Print.

[4] Jeffrey, Rosenberg and Wilcox W. Bradford. The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children. Child Abuse and Neglect User Manuel Series.( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, 2006. Web. 23 Feb. 2017)

.

[5] Ibid, Feb. 23^rd, 2017

[6] Deirdre, Bell. The Importance of Dads. ( Boba. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.)

.

[7] Ibid, Feb. 24^th, 2017

[8] Michael E. Lamb. The Role of the Father in Child Development. (Canada: John Wiley & Sons),

1997. Print.

[9] Deirdre, Bell. The Importance of Dads. (Boba. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.)

.

[10] Ibid, Feb 24^th, 2017

[11] Michael E. Lamb. The Role of the Father in Child Development. (Canada: John Wiley & Sons),

1997. Print.

[12] Ibid, Feb 27^th, 2017

[13] Deirdre, Bell. The Importance of Dads. (Boba. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.)

.

[14] Ibid, Feb 25^th, 2017

[15] Jeffrey, Rosenberg and Wilcox W. Bradford. The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children. Child Abuse and Neglect User Manuel Series.( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, 2006. Web. 23 Feb. 2017)

.

[16] Harry, Munsinger. Fundamentals of Child Development. (United States of America: Holt,

Rinehart and Winston, 1971.) Print.

[17] Michael E. Lamb. The Role of the Father in Child Development. (Canada: John Wiley & Sons),

1997. Print.

[18] Deirdre, Bell. The Importance of Dads. (Boba. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.)

.

[19] Michael E. Lamb. The Role of the Father in Child Development. (Canada: John Wiley & Sons),

1997. Print.

[20] Jeffrey, Rosenberg and Wilcox W. Bradford. The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children. Child Abuse and Neglect User Manuel Series.( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, 2006. Web. 23 Feb. 2017)

.

[21] Deirdre, Bell. The Importance of Dads. (Boba. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.)

.

[22]Harry, Munsinger. Fundamentals of Child Development. (United States of America: Holt,

Rinehart and Winston, 1971.) Print.

[23]Deirdre, Bell. The Importance of Dads. (Boba. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.)

.

[24] Harry, Munsinger. Fundamentals of Child Development. (United States of America: Holt,

Rinehart and Winston, 1971.) Print.

[25]David, Hosier. Childhood Trauma: The Possible Effects of Uninvolved Parents. Child Abuse, Trauma and Recovery. (MSc, 17 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.)

[26] Fox, Greer L., Vey M. Nordquist, Rhett M. Billen, and Emily Furst Savoca. Father Involvement and Early Intervention: Effects of Empowerment and Father Role Identity. Family Relations 64.4 (2015): 461-75. The Effects of Father Involvement: An Updated Research Summary of the Evidence. University of Guelph, 2007. Web. 14 Mar. 2017. .

[27] Ibid, March 14^th, 2017

[28] Fox, Greer L., Vey M. Nordquist, Rhett M. Billen, and Emily Furst Savoca. Father Involvement and Early Intervention: Effects of Empowerment and Father Role Identity. Family Relations 64.4 (2015): 461-75. The Effects of Father Involvement: An Updated Research Summary of the Evidence. University of Guelph, 2007. Web. 14 Mar. 2017. .

[29] Ibid, March 14^th, 2017

[30] Ibid, March 14^th, 2017

[31] Marshall L. Hamilton. Father’s Influence on Children. (Chicago: Nelson-Hall, 1977. Print)

[32] Michael E. Lamb. The Role of the Father in Child Development. (Canada: John Wiley & Sons),

1997. Print.

[33] Deirdre, Bell. The Importance of Dads. (Boba. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.)

.

[34] Jeffrey, Rosenberg and Wilcox W. Bradford. The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children. Child Abuse and Neglect User Manuel Series.( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, 2006. Web. 23 Feb. 2017)

.

[35] Ibid, Feb. 23^rd, 2017

[36] Marshall L. Hamilton. Father’s Influence on Children. (Chicago: Nelson-Hall, 1977. Print)

[37] Jeffrey, Rosenberg and Wilcox W. Bradford. The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children. Child Abuse and Neglect User Manuel Series.( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, 2006. Web. 23 Feb. 2017)

.

[38] Marshall L. Hamilton. Father’s Influence on Children. (Chicago: Nelson-Hall, 1977. Print)

[39] Harry, Munsinger. Fundamentals of Child Development. (United States of America: Holt,

Rinehart and Winston, 1971.) Print.