| Over the years, there has been a substantial interest in | | | | To be able to break the cycle, it can be helpful for |
| the role that fathers play in the lives of their children. | | | | fathers to reflect on how they perceived the role of |
| Consider the following points: | | | | the father growing up, and now as an adult. It may be |
| Children who feel a closeness and warmth with their | | | | that the father is acting as an involved father |
| father are significantly more likely to enter college, | | | | according to his perception. An example is the father |
| significantly less likely to have a child in their teen years, | | | | who works two jobs in order to support his family, yet |
| be incarcerated, and show various signs of depression. | | | | rarely is able to spend time with his children. |
| The likelihood that a young male will engage in criminal | | | | Another crucial step is for fathers to be able to see |
| activity is significant if he is raised without a father and | | | | the strengths of his children. Sometimes fathers view |
| even more likely if he lives in a neighborhood with a | | | | the success or perceived inadequacies of a child as a |
| high concentration of fatherless families. Father | | | | reflection of themselves, this is particularly true for a |
| involvement is a significant factor in developing | | | | first born male child. Mothers can help by pointing out |
| empathy. Children of involved fathers are less likely to | | | | the individual strengths of each child and collecting a |
| live in poverty, more likely to receive healthcare, and | | | | visual record of each child's growth and development. |
| less likely to be injured. | | | | Just as in an airplane, fathers and mothers need to |
| More recent information has found that father | | | | take care of themselves physically, spiritually and |
| involvement is just as important for the behavioral | | | | emotionally, before they can completely care for the |
| outcomes of boys as girls. | | | | rest of the family. While there needs to be balance, |
| If one or both of your parents was less than adequate, | | | | everyone needs some respite and time to rejuvenate |
| this situation does not have to impact your own | | | | themselves. Friends are an invaluable commodity; often |
| parenting. It is possible to break the cycle of | | | | better than therapy. For fathers, sharing of feelings is |
| dysfunction or uninvolvement. | | | | often through another activity like poker or watching |
| Fathers who are deprived of good fathers in their own | | | | sports. |
| lives are sometimes able to respond by doing a better | | | | Finally, both mothers and fathers need to recognize |
| job in their own parenting roles. Also, fathers who | | | | that each has a unique but crucial role in the |
| simply believe in the importance of fatherhood are | | | | development of their children. |
| more involved fathers. | | | | |