Celebrating the Importance of Fathers
Sunday, June 21st, 2009
By: Maiken Scott
mscott@whyy.org
Today is Father's Day – an occasion to celebrate dads everywhere, and to take a look at the importance of fathers in children's lives. (Photo: Flickr/andrijbulba)
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Many fathers are involved in their child's life from the first ultrasound to the delivery room and nursery – and studies find that dads who get involved early in their children's lives tend to stay involved.
Dr. Rob Palkovitz is a professor of human development at the University of Delaware. He recently reviewed hundreds of studies on the importance of father involvement. He says caring fathers or father figures make a difference:
Palkovitz: An engaged father, one who really connects with his kid helps them emotionally to cope with life better, and behaviorally to have a better skill set.
Palkovitz says just as fathers impact their children's lives, they are also changed by the experience of being a father. Men report that fatherhood made them more responsible and caring as people.
