What a Difference a Dad Makes

There are many opinions about what constitutes being a father, but leave it to experts to provide the clinical definition. According to the CDC, the traditional definition of a father is "the male parent". In addition, there are biological, sociological, and psychological definitions. However, what I find most important is that men who are fathers, are actively involved in their children's lives. Father involvement is an important aspect of raising children and research shows that children whose fathers are involved, tend to be healthier, do better in school, are more confident, and have better social connections.

A colleague shared her personal story with me and I'd like to share a portion of it with you. She grew up without her father. Not only did she miss out on the quality time and experiences that come with a fatherly relationship, but she was truly devastated when she learned at a young age that her father was incarcerated. This revelation, this news about her father, was one of the most traumatic experiences she has had to navigate. Her story had me thinking about how important fathers are, and the impact they have on their children's lives.

Fathers, like mothers, are pillars in the development of a child's emotional well-being. Children look to their fathers to lay down the rules and enforce them. They also look to their fathers to provide a feeling of security, both physical and emotional.

— The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Children who have an active father figure in their lives are more likely to have healthier relationships with members of the opposite sex as adults, enjoy higher levels of self-esteem, are better problem solvers, and are less likely to experience depression.