The Value Of An Involved Father
After years of comments/excuses from people saying that the lack of a positive male role model contributed to the problems in their lives, it can now be officially stated that having Dad take an active role in a child’s life can make a huge difference in its quality…
Detailing a 20 year-long Swedish study, a 2008 report published in Acta Paediatricia says that behavioral problems in boys and psychological issues in young women are reduced by the presence of an actively involved father.
Further, children who enjoyed positive relationships with their fathers tended to do better in school; were found to be better adjusted socially, emotionally and psychologically; and were found less likely to get involved with criminal activity, drugs or alcohol.
On the other hand, they’re more likely to develop healthy relationships as adults and will probably have better cognitive skills, reasoning abilities and language skills. I would suspect they’re also more likely to know how to fix or build things, change a flat tire and the best way to throw a curve ball.
So, the next time someone says his father’s leaving when he was a kid led to his life of crime, don’t dismiss it too quickly. We all make our own choices, but he might be partly right.
PS… Thanks, Dad.
