I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments when they aren’t trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.
— Umberto Eco
Somewhere I read, Some people don’t believe in heroes because they haven’t met my father yet
and it shows how much that child admires and appreciates his father’s presence in his life. When in school, students are often asked to write or speak about their role models, and undoubtedly the most of the answers are about their fathers. That’s the value a male parent hold in a child’s life.
But according to various studies, it has been observed that kids get to spend lesser time with their male parents as compared to their female parents, exceptions do exist like in the cases of both working parents or primary female working parents, but still, this observation holds for most of the families. Therefore, it becomes important to understand the role of male parents in assuring the good development of the child and further incorporating some steps in real life to bring out the best of the child.
Why do fathers play an important role in children’s lives?
For ages, in most families, a male parent is responsible for earning bread. They are always projected as one with higher authority, one who should be respected more, and the one who makes the big decision for the good of his family, thus earning the limelight. Naturally, a person is often attracted and inspired by the individual who holds power, and so for the children, fathers become the person who a child wants to be like in the future. They wish to be acknowledged and praised by their father as a sense of accomplishment and therefore, try hard to perform their best in every aspect of their lives. It is also observed that a daughter feels much more attached to the male parent compared to the female one and the reason is for the security and emotional support, that they grow up seeing their mother getting from their male parent. A father shows his daughter what a good relationship with a man is like. If a father is loving and gentle, his daughter will look for those qualities in men when she’s old enough to begin dating. If a father is strong and valiant, she will relate closely to men of the same character. Though the core reason behind all such beliefs is male chauvinism that is deeply rooted in society still we can’t deny the importance of the father in one’s life. (And that doesn’t mean families run by single mothers or two mothers lack behind.)
How a father can assure the good development of their child, despite their busy schedules?
- Make the time you spend together worth it. Whether it is just for dinner or weekends, make sure your child feels special around you. Get to know your child and tell him how much you and his mother struggle every day to get the best for him/her.
- Do what you preach. Showing yourself in a heroic light but not behaving the same might drift the child apart. So, be the person your child can get inspired from.
- The weekend is the best time to do some exciting things together. Go to a museum, amusement park, or just a library nearby with your family. Show them you care.
- Take out a little time to sit beside your child and listen to their stories about how spent their day or week. Show your child that he/she got you at their back whenever needed. You might not spend the whole day with him but you love him with all your heart. Spending time together won’t only help your child in healthy development but also enhance the bond of your family.
- Be responsible. Notice their actions and advice them if they do something wrong. Show up in the parents-teachers meeting at school once in a while to know how he/she is doing in their studies.
- As the head of the family, instruct your child about the code of conduct that needs to be followed while living in the society, also how to face the world and you must teach them to be disciplined, well-mannered, and respectful.
- Be open-minded. Be accepting of the thoughts of the younger generation instead of making them follow what you did in your childhood. Time changes and you should change too.
- Be a friend and a counsellor at the same time. Make your child feel comfortable about sharing anything with you without the fear of being judged. He is already getting judgments from everyone in society. Be their safe place.
For the final note, REMEMBER: The importance of a father in a child’s development is undeniable but in the whole article, I, in no way mean to disregard the families with a single mother, or two mothers or a mother being the primary earner. So, Let’s bust the myth of the father being a breadwinner and the mother, a caregiver. It’s important to be both for the child whenever needed. A Child’s development is the priority and not the gender or role a parent opts for.
