Gifts of a Father's Presence

As promised, I am going to stop talking about all the bad things that happen when dads are not involved/present for their children and I will instead talk about all the great things that happen fathers do take an active role in the lives of their kids.  These positive effects are not just the inverse of the negative consequences when dads are absent.

Effects on Infants

Let's starts with infants.  Even in the first few days of life, the effect of a father's presence can be discerned.  Newborns will preferentially turn their heads to the voice of their fathers over the voices of other men.  Studies of premature infants show that those infants whose fathers visit the NICU more often tend to have better weight gain during the hospitalization and perform better on behavioral and social-developmental tests during the first 18 months of life.  Infants who demonstrate the most emotional security and attachment have fathers who are affectionate, who spend time with their children, and who have a positive attitude.  Keep in mind that these effects are happening long before the child can even walk and talk.

Effects on Mothers

What about mothers?  When fathers are involved, their children's mothers are more likely to start and continue breastfeeding.  Mothers with positive relationships with their children's fathers also demonstrate better parenting skill and fewer emotional difficulties.  Mothers who are feeling supported are more likely to encourage the fathers to be involved with the children.  So, dads, if you are supportive of mom, she will want you to be involved with your kids.  If you are not supportive, she will be more likely to discourage your involvement.

Early Childhood

Fathers can help reduce the likelihood of stranger anxiety in their children.  When left with a stranger, one-year-olds with involved fathers are less likely to cry.  They are also less likely to worry and less likely to disrupt the play of other kids.  Compared to those with less involved fathers, preschool children of involved fathers have been found to have higher cognitive development.  They also exhibit more empathy and have a greater sense of mastery over their environment than their peers with less involved dads.

Long-term Benefits

Children who live with both parents are more likely to finish high school, be economically self-sufficient, and be physically healthy.  Fathers have a unique and strong influence on their children's gender role development and serve as important role models for both boys and girls.  

"My dad is a Frito-Lay man. That is an important job because Frito-Lay means chips, which is food. That is so important because you could not live without food."
1st grader 
Entry from the National Center for Fathering’s Father of the Year Essay Contest

Discipline

Fathers who set appropriate limits for their children and who provide sufficient autonomy have children with higher academic achievement.  Fathers who discipline harshly and/or inconsistently have a negative impact on emotional and academic development

Educational Benefits

When dads are involved, kids tend to have improved educational outcomes.  Children of fathers who are involved in their children's education are more likely to achieve better grades, more likely to enjoy school, more likely to participate in extracurricular activities, and are less likely to have repeated a grade.

Canine Case Study:  UGA

UGA I

Since UGA I, the first in his family to go to college, nine generations of his descendants have entered the University of Georgia.  In order, those descendants are UGA II, UGA III, UGA IV, Otto, UGA V, UGA VI, UGA VII, Russ, and UGA VIII.  It is anticipated that UGA IX will soon join that glorious family tradition.

Clockwise from top left:  UGA II, UGA III, UGA IV, Otto, UGA V, UGA VI, UGAVII, UGA VIII, and Russ (center)

Additional Benefits

There are numerous other benefits that result from fathers who are involved.  Fathers who spend time alone with their kids and perform routine childcare at least twice a week raise the most compassionate adults.  Physical play with fathers promotes intellectual development and social competence.  Who would have thought that just wrestling and playing with dad would be such a big deal?

There are undoubtedly many other advantages that fathers create for their children when they remain involved. The benefits above are just the ones which have been shown in various research settings.  Fathers are capable of doing incredible good to their kids by staying involved in their lives.  Dads, you only have a few years with your kids at home.  Make the most of them and be their dad!  Perfection is not necessary.  Presence and participation are.

"Sometimes as a joke I'll put my stinky socks in his briefcase, so at work the next day he will think of me! He's always at the concerts and plays that I'm in, even though he lives about an hour away."
4th grader
Entry from the National Center for Fathering’s Father of the Year Essay Contest