Father-child relationships have a profound and far-reaching effect on children, women, communities, and on the lives of men themselves.
Fathers have a significant influence on attachment and child development. Fathers and mothers influence their children in similar ways: warmth, nurturance and closeness are associated with well-adjusted children whether the caregiver is mother or father. However, studies show that fathers’ parenting quality has a distinct and important role in early cognitive development, self-regulation and mental health.
Paternal parenting in toddlerhood is linked to the development of executive functions. Early executive functioning is critical for learning, self-control, problem solving, meeting new challenges, and overall mental health. Research has found that fathers’ sensitive parenting at 24 months predicted children’s executive functioning at three years of age.
Young children who have playful and affectionate relationships with their fathers have better friendships, self-confidence, and coping skills as they grow older, than children with uninvolved or absent fathers. Harsh discipline by fathers is linked to later behavioral problems for girls and boys. Studies show that the more the father is involved in the pregnancy and delivery, and the sooner he holds the baby after birth, the more likely he is to form a loving connection.
Many children experience father absence, which can have a number of negative results: 1) the absence of co-parents to help with child care, decision-making and giving mom a break from the demands of parenting, 2) the economic stress of single motherhood; single mother-headed households have the lowest income of all family groups, 3) the emotional stress of single mothers who feel isolated and alone, and of children who feel abandoned, 4) the anxiety children feel due to conflict between caregivers (e.g., custody and divorce conflict).
“State of the World’s Fathers” was recently released by MenCare, a global program that advocates for men’s positive involvement with children and families. This report, based on hundreds of studies around the world, confirms the critical importance of fathers. Key findings include:
- Fathers’ involvement is linked to higher cognitive development and school achievement, better mental health for boys and girls, and lower rates of delinquency in sons. Fathers’ connection is important for the development of empathy and social skills in sons and daughters. When fathers are involved in their children’s lives in school, children are more likely to graduate and have better career and economic success.
- Men are “wired” for deep emotional connections to their children. Men have mental, emotional and physical reactions that allow them to form secure attachments to their babies and children.
- Men who have close and meaningful relationships with their children report increased well-being and happiness, live longer, have fewer mental health and medical problems, are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, and are more productive at work than fathers who do not have positive relationships with their children.
- Globally, women earn 24% less than men, due in large part to their greater burden of caregiving. By sharing caregiving and domestic responsibilities, men support women’s participation in the workforce and equality overall. Involved fathers increase boys’ acceptance of gender equality and girls’ sense of autonomy and empowerment.
- The involvement of fathers before, during and after birth has positive effects on maternal health behaviors, women’s use of newborn health services, and fathers’ long-term support in their children’s lives. Fathers’ support influences women’s decisions to immunize their children and to seek care for childhood illnesses. Fewer women die in childbirth when their partners are supportive.
- Fathers’ involvement interrupts the cycle of violence. One-third of women experience violence by male partners. Three-quarters of children experience violent discipline in the home. These forms of violence co-occur; most children whose mothers are abused are experiencing abuse themselves. Rates of violence against children are lower in homes where men’s and women’s caregiving were more equal.
