Role Of A Father: How It Affects A Daughter And Son

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Traditionally, fathers are always given very little credit for their role in raising their children. Often it would be the mother who would handle the household duties which included grooming the children. But with changing times, roles have overlapped and both parents are now expected to take active participation in family affairs.

Fathers are often the unsung heroes in many families in today’s world. In fact, both parents, be the mother or the father, are equally important in a child’s life and trying to argue who is more important is a futile discussion altogether. Both have their own roles and responsibilities to play and together they bring out the best in themselves. Fathers, as we know, generally are the breadwinners of the families and as such might get to spend less time at home. However, times are changing and now many fathers have opted to become stay-home parents while mommy does the office work. Such changes make it all the more important not to compartmentalize all fathers in a single category and appreciate their role in a family.

With Father’s Day around the corner, let’s understand the importance of a dad and try to appreciate the sacrifices and struggles that fathers go through without even flinching, when it comes to their family. Scroll below to know more:

What Role Does A Father Play In A Child’s Life?

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A father cannot be replaced. Even though mothers are the primary caregivers, especially in the first few years of a child’s life, fathers too play an essential role in shaping the child and establishing an unbreakable bond with their children. Fathers play a significant role in the emotional well-being of a child. They can be playful and goofy, but they influence a child’s confidence and emotional security in more ways than one (1).

Studies have shown that children who have caring, involved, and nurturing fathers perform better academically. They have higher IQs and better cognitive and linguistic abilities. Fathers also impact a child’s patience, ability to handle stressful situations, and academic achievements. Therefore, affectionate fathers make a huge difference in a child’s life (1).

Besides, parenting is a tough job and doing it all single handedly can prove to be really difficult. When both the mother and father join in and divide the responsibilities among themselves, it gets easier to manage. When parents synchronize their parenting efforts they start seeing the intended results from their children too. So, if one parent takes care of teaching reading and writing, the other can help around in art and sports. The possibilities are endless. It also helps the parents from not getting exhausted from the overwhelming daily responsibilities. And when one wishes to have some rest, the other can take over and let the other get rejuvenated. Fathers who actively help out the family will be happy to know that the children appreciate their presence and feel more secure.

Dads And Daughters

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Anyone who has ever observed the relationship between a father and a daughter knows that it is unique. It’s a special bond that no one can replace. Young girls look up to their fathers for security and emotional support and they are the first male figure that they associate with. Often it’s the father with whom they will confide their desires or wants. And the support of their fathers always means a lot to them. For many girls, their fathers are also their best friends and confidantes.

Another important aspect of the father-daughter relationship is the protection he provides her. For a daughter, her father is a tall and protective figure who would rescue her from any danger. He will protect her and keep her safe, no matter what happens. No wonder, girls mention their father or elder brother when they want to scare away some guy disturbing them.

Fathers teach their daughters what a good relationship with a man should look like. They set the standard for future relationships for their daughter. If a father is gentle, loving, caring, and attentive, she will look for those qualities in her partner in the future. Therefore, the relationship that a dad establishes with his daughter is significant.

Dads And Sons

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While daughters look up to their dads and model their relationships based on their father’s character, sons model their own character based on how their fathers are. Most of the time, young boys seek approval from their fathers, and it starts quite early. Just like a father influences his daughter’s relationships in the future, a son will also pick up on what his father does.

If a father is gentle, loving, and affectionate, it sets the tone for how a son would most likely grow up to treat their partners. Another major contributor to a son’s character in the future is influenced by how his father treats his mother. Therefore, the role that a dad plays in his son’s life is impactful!

Sons, from a very young age, observe their fathers and mimic the behaviors of their fathers. After all, their fathers are the hero figures to them. That’s why, though they do want to make their mommas smile, but it’s usually the fathers approval which really puts real satisfaction in their deeds. Be it exams or sports, if they can impress their fathers, they feel like they must have done it right.

Dads As A Role Model

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Anyone can be a father, but it takes dedication to be a dad. Fathers influence our relationships with ourselves and other people. Most children look up to their dads to be their role models, and while it’s not an easy task being a role model, there is evidence that it impacts a child’s life significantly. Therefore, it’s a huge responsibility that should not be taken lightly.

Even today, dads are the ones who are sought after for protection. Right from baby proofing the house when a baby arrives to protecting their kids from external threats, dads keep their children safe. Do you share a special bond with your dad? Comment below and let us know!

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