A Father's Place is in His Child's LIfe

Regardless of whether a father is involved or detached from his child's life events; he is, without a doubt, a significant part of his child's experience of life; thus, an important presence in his child's academic outcome. Case in point, when a father is disengaged from his child's scholastic life, statistically, the child's performance and social behavior is less positive. According to a study done in 1997, "Research stimulated by the new interest in fathers suggests that fathers' involvement in their children's schools does make a difference in their children's education" (as quoted by Nord, 1998), Nord, Brimhall, & West, 1997). Clearly, it is evident that when a father is engaged and attentive to his child's educational needs, his child enjoys high academic performance and is more engaged in school functions. Furthermore, a child living in a home in which both biological parents are together is just as susceptible to the father's influence and involvement as a child living in a single-parent family or a blended family. Additionally, a child living in a single-parent family headed by either the mother or the father has just as much need for the father's involvement in his/her life, and the effects of his presence or lack of presence is powerful (Nord 1998).

Clearly, there are many life events that can cause a caring father to be pre-occupied and inattentive to his child's needs such as; but not limited to, a demanding work schedule, personal life issues, marital discord, or divorce. Even so, these very real issues are not relevant to the child's feelings of insignificance, nor does the knowledge of them rectify the devastation that occurs in the child's life when his/her dad, 'seemingly' doesn't care. Furthermore, it is implicated that normal childhood issues in a family where a divorce has ensued are magnified when the father's involvement in his child's life is sketchy and/or non-existent. Thus, the stability of the relationship between the ex-spouse and he is crucial to the child's stability (Hamner & Turner 2001, 1996). Sadly, when the father is unable to, or refuses to be a part of the child's school events and daily academic needs, the child's grades, social skills, and emotional mind-set suffer greatly (Nord 1998).

According to Jeffery Rosenberg and Bradford Wilcox of the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, U.S. Children's Bureau, "Children with involved, caring, fathers have better educational outcomes. A number of studies suggest that fathers who are involved, nurturing, and playful with their infants have children with higher IQs, as well as better linguistic and cognitive capacities. Toddlers with involved fathers go on to start school with higher levels of academic readiness. They are more patient and can handle the stresses and frustrations associated with schooling more readily than children with less involved fathers" (Rosenberg & Wilcox, 2006).

It is understood that fathers that are engaged with their children impart a sense of stability, self effacement, and social aptitude. Also, because a mother tends to protect and nurture her child, the father balances the child's understanding of him/her self and the world by imparting a sense of autonomy. Furthermore, because a father is playful with his child, he indirectly teaches the child how to control his/her emotions, and also socializes him/her. Additionally, fathers tend to encourage exploration of the world which instills confidence and positive social behavior. Overall, it is believed that children with a positive child/father relationship have greater academic success and are much less-likely to exhibit antisocial behavior (Rosenberg & Wilcox, 2006).

In conclusion, whether the father is involved with his child, or un-involved, a father has a powerful impact on every aspect of his child's development; moreover, the father's personal life-choices visibly influence his child's future. Truly, when a father establishes a loving and committed relationship with his child and his child's mother, the benefits to the youngster are unprecedented in all areas of his/her life. That being said, it is imperative that spouses, schools, and our government stand in unison; and, welcome every father into their child's home-life, school-life, and social events. Additionally, we must value the father and his role in our children's lives, as there is clearly no substitute for dad.

References

Hamner & Turner (2001, 1996) Parenting in contemporary society (4^th ed.), Parenting in Single-Parent Families and Stepfamilies. Allyn & Bacon: A Pearson Education Company.

Nord, C. W. (1998) Father's involvement in schools: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Children's Research Center Champaign, IL. Retrieved on July 6^, 2011 from http://freespace.virgin.net/dave.sutton/Quality/essays/dadinvolve.html

Rosenberg J. & Wilcox W. B. (2006) The importance of fathers in the healthy development of children. Child Welfare Information Gateway; retrieved on July 6, 2011 from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanuals/fatherhood/chaptertwo.cfm