Children grow up happier, healthier when fathers are involved, nurturing

When boys and girls are raised by engaged fathers, they demonstrate "a greater ability to take initiative and evidence self-control," according to Dr. Kyle Pruett, clinical professor of psychiatry at the Yale Child Study. Pruett found that when a father plays a visible and nurturing role in his children's lives, the situation leads to better outcomes for his children and himself.

Children are more likely to:

• have stronger coping and adaptation
• skills
• be better equipped to solve problem
• stay in school longer
• have longer lasting relationship
• have higher work productivity.

Fathers are more likely to:

• have better overall health
• have higher self-esteem and a more
• positive self image
• have more satisfaction with work

1. Emotional well-being
2. Fathers who spend time with their kids are affectionate, and have a positive attitude about parenting are more likely to bond with their infants.
3. When fathers are highly engaged with their children's lives, children have better self-esteem and better control of their actions.
4. A 26-year longitudinal study concluded that the most important childhood factor in developing empathy is paternal involvement.
5. Girls' positive relationships with residential fathers in childhood can buffer depressive outcomes in adulthood.
6. Continued contact with non-residential fathers who are loving, supportive, and nurturing increases the emotional well-being and adjustment of female children.
7. Availability, contact, and parental involvement with fathers reduce boys' aggression.

More reading, more As in school

When fathers are involved in kids' education, including attending school meetings and volunteering at school, kids are more likely to get A's, enjoy school, and participate in extracurricular activities. They are less likely to repeat a grade.

A study of low-income families found that fathers who were satisfied with parenting, contributed financially to the family, and were nurturing during play had children with better cognitive and language competence at age three.

The unique quality of father-child play boosts children's cognitive development and fosters social skills that are necessary for success in peer interactions.

Risks of father absence

Fathers offer unique and essential contributions to children's development. Yet, too many children are missing their fathers. According to 1998 U.S. Census Bureau figures, 24.7 million children (36.3 percent) in this country live in homes where fathers are absent.

But even when fathers live with their children, they may not be fulfilling their responsibilities as a parent. For example, fathers can be "technically present but functionally absent."

A lack of father involvement may be transmitted from one generation to the next. The National Center on Fathers and Families examined research finding that the quality of men's relationships with their own fathers is the single greatest predictor of their participation with their children.