Feature

The Father’s Role in the Family

fathers-role-in-family

Being a father is one of the greatest joys a man can have. A child can make you feel proud and helps to give you a new lease on life. Wow! When all is said and done, being a good father is not as easy as ABC, or 123. But it is very essential to the child’s development. Let us learn about the father’s role in the family.

Family underscores the concept that fathers who become involved in the parenting process will likely find that their “socio-emotional” and relational sides develop. Fathers are indeed central to the emotional well-being of their children. They are capable caretakers, spiritual heads, disciplinarians, guides, counsellors, role models, to name a few.

Studies have shown that if your child’s father is affectionate, supportive, and involved, he can contribute greatly to your child’s cognitive, self-concept, self-esteem, language and social development. It is interesting to note that a child’s relationship with his or her father can affect that child’s life/relationship from birth to death. Human beings are social animals and we learn by modelling behaviour.

Those early patterns of interaction with fathers are the very patterns that will be projected forward into all relationships. Some girls will search for men who hold the patterns of the good old man because he has been there done that. Therefore, if the father was kind, loving, compassionate, gentle and empathetic, they will reach out for those admirable characteristics in men. Boys will model themselves after their fathers. They will look for the father’s approval in most things they do. So, if the father was abusive, controlling, dominating, those will be the patterns sons will imitate.

Children need a father who loves them, who is there for them, and who does whatever he can to help them grow into responsible, trustworthy adults. It is often said that the decline of fatherhood and lost family values are major forces behind many of the disturbing problems that plague our society. The Brazilian newspaper Journal da Tarde reported in a study that many behavioural problems of youth, such as aggression, unruliness, poor performance in school and apathy, are often the result of an absent father.

There is no doubt that children who are well bonded and loved by involved fathers tend to have less behavioural problems. Research also indicates that fathers are as important as mothers in their respective roles as caregivers, protectors, financial supporters and, more importantly, models for social and emotional behaviour.

Espie Daley, a graduate of the Jamaica Theological Seminary (JTS) and a father of two daughters, says that his mission is always to be a good father. “I try to be sensitive to the various needs of my family, be it psychosocial or otherwise.”

According to Ashley Beckford, a distinguished lieutenant governor of the Kiwanis Division 23, he pays attention to the needs of all his children. “I set good, loving examples for them by instilling good values. For example, my wife and I ensure that our children attend church, Sunday school, and that they receive a good education.”

To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #6, 2016 Issue.