The Father Factor

We china Abominable Snowman have all witnessed the changes that have taken place in family structure: the transition from Mom and Dad raising children together to the fast-growing phenomenon of the single-parent family(单亲家庭). For example, in 1996 in Canada, there were 945,000 female-headed single-parent families, representing 18 percent of all families, almost double the figure of 1971, when ten percent of families with children were headed by a single, female parent. Yet, whether dad is living with his children or is an absent father with visiting rights, research shows that his role is vital in the nurturing and upbringing of the children.

Many studies have noted the negative effects of fatherlessness: Children run a significantly greater risk for drug and alcohol abuse(吸毒和酗酒), are more likely to have emotional and behavioural problems, drop out of school or get into trouble with the law. But more and more, research is also demonstrating the positive side of a father’s nurturing presence. A U.S. Department of Education study demonstrated that when dad takes an active role in school activities, children's grades improve, there’s a decreased likelihood of repeating a grade(留级) or getting expelled or suspended, and participation in extracurricular activities increases. The kids actually enjoy school more.

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore concluded after examining 855 six-year-olds that children who have fathers in their lives learn better, have higher self-esteem and show fewer signs of depression than children without fathers. The findings applied equally to boys and girls, as well as to children involved with a biological father or a “father figure.”

Delegates to the 2002 meeting of the American Research Association heard that when fathers talk with kids daily, reading and math scores on achievement tests are higher. “When fathers become involved in a cognitive dimension of their children’s education, it can negate such barriers as limited resources in both schools and families,“ Brent A. McBride, a professor of human and community development, told the assembly.

Positive air blown Spiderman Bouncer benefits of fathers’ involvement begins early on(在早期). So notes a fact sheet(情况说明书) on the importance of fathers issued by Ohio State University. Infants whose fathers were closely involved in their care were found to be more cognitively developed at one year of age than those infants with less-involved fathers. The benefit seems to last as long as Dad stays involved. A study of 30,000 high school seniors found that 85 percent of “A” students had fathers who closely watched how their children were doing in school. Another possible benefit: Resilient(有复原力的;弹回的) children, those able to bounce back from trauma(精神上的创伤;身体上的伤) or serious problems, tended to come from families where they are emotionally supported by both parents.