Father's vital role to his kids

“Fathers are far more than just ‘second adults’ in the home. Involved fathers bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is as likely to bring." - Dr. David Popenoe

An involved father is not just by living in the same house with his child and provides the child's basic needs (food, clothes, house, etc.) but actively interacts, shows affection, nurtures and being available to his child.

For children's cognitive development, studies show that fathers who are involved, nurturing, and playful with their infants have children with higher IQ's, as well as better linguistic and cognitive capacities. Children with involved fathers have better linguistic skills, intellectual functioning, and academic achievement among adolescents.

Also, involved father's kids are emotionally secure, confident in exploring their surroundings, and are more sociable. It is less likely for them to have behavioral problems or be involved in alcohol or drug abuse.

And there's a whole lot more advantages (child's physical, social, emotional, intellectual and communication development) of being an involved father than you could imagine. Dr. Gail Gross, a Human Behavior, Parenting, and Education Expert, Speaker, Author. Ph.D., Ed.D., M.Ed., even said that "It is impossible to over-estimate the importance of dad."

This post is kudos to all fathers' (especially my hubby) for making the effort to be involved in your child's care despite the "old school" concept that the father is the provider and the mother should be the one to manage the home and the kids. It means a lot to mothers like me and most importantly to your kids. Thank you for helping to create a better world.

Source: The Importance of Fathers   in the Healthy Development of Children
by Jeffrey Rosenberg and W. Bradford Wilcox