Once “Forgotten” Participants, Now Recognized as Equal Partners in Child Development
The role of fathers in relation to their children and family has changed over time and across different cultural contexts. These changes in understanding the role of fathers, as well as the importance they hold in a child’s life today, are explored in the book “Contemporary Understandings of Fatherhood and the Father’s Role in a Child’s Life” by Đenita Tuce, a professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology.
Professor Tuce draws a clear parallel between the era when it was widely believed that mothers held the key role in a child’s life, and today’s times when fathers are no longer “forgotten” participants in their child’s life. Contemporary views on parenting emphasize that both mother and father are equally important in a child’s development, and that the involvement and dedication of both parents are crucial for the child’s optimal growth.
“A good father is not born but becomes one. Parenting is a skill that requires commitment, time, and effort. Therefore, the quality of fatherhood (just like motherhood) is not predetermined but is shaped and developed over time, through experiences and relationships with one’s own child. A good father becomes so through active involvement in the child’s life, building a strong emotional bond with the child, and adapting to the different stages of the child’s development.”
Today, it is widely accepted that a father’s involvement in nurturing and caring for the child, as well as the warm and supportive relationship a father builds with the child, positively influence the child’s overall psychosocial development. Over time, perceptions have also changed regarding how fathers spend time with their children. Fathers were once mostly seen as those who primarily engage in play with their children, but today they increasingly participate in caregiving and nurturing activities as well. It is through these activities that a strong emotional bond between father and child is formed.
What Do Research Studies Tell Us?
Numerous studies show that children with dedicated and involved fathers exhibit fewer behavioral problems, are less prone to various forms of risky behavior (such as alcohol and drug abuse), have better school attendance, and are generally less likely to display aggressive behavior or depression. It has also been found that a father’s care, warmth, and encouragement positively influence a child’s cognitive and socio-emotional development, including better academic achievement, improved social adjustment, enhanced social skills, as well as greater creativity, social responsibility, independence, and autonomy.
“It is important to understand that good fatherhood is not a standard to be met nor a predefined role to be fulfilled, but rather a deeply rooted life commitment based on dedication, devotion, awareness of one’s own strengths and limitations, and a genuine desire to be an active participant in one’s child’s life throughout all stages of their development.”
Research consistently confirms that growing up with a warm, supportive, and devoted father benefits a child’s overall development, including motor skills, socio-emotional and cognitive development, as well as language abilities. Fathers also play a crucial role in fostering their child’s curiosity, independence, exploratory spirit, and autonomy, as well as in protecting the child’s mental health.
Through their presence, quality interactions, and support, fathers positively influence various aspects of their child’s socio-emotional development. With warmth, understanding, and empathy, fathers help children recognize, express, and regulate their emotions, thereby significantly contributing to the development of the child’s emotional intelligence and prosocial behavior. Furthermore, by actively guiding the child in managing conflicts, setting boundaries, and developing healthy interpersonal relationships, fathers encourage the growth of social competencies.
Research consistently shows that children of fathers who are actively involved in their lives and sensitive to their needs face fewer mental health problems, both in childhood and later in life.
“The desire to write a book on fatherhood emerged from my many years of academic work in the elective course Psychology of Parenting, where this topic is actively addressed. However, the true motivation to embark on this endeavor came after I realized that there is no scientific publication in our region specifically focused on fatherhood. Consequently, I felt a responsibility to fill that gap and provide my students, as well as the wider public, with a resource that combines scientifically supported and theoretically grounded information on this highly relevant and current topic in a detailed and comprehensive way.”
You can download the book at the following link: https://shorturl.at/hWiBT
About the author:
She completed her undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies in psychology at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo, where she is currently employed as an associate professor teaching courses in developmental psychology. Her primary scientific and professional interest is focused on the psychology of parenting.
