Benefits of father involvement

Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada

Current research reinforces that positive father involvement (PFI) is strongly associated with positive outcomes for children.

Benefits to children

Cognitive

• Infants of fathers whose interactions are sensitive, calm and less anxious score higher in mental development
• Positive father involvement in early childhood has long-term positive outcomes as children age
• Fathers involved in children's school is linked to significant improvement in children's cognitive functioning
• Effects are increased when parents work together to support their children in school

Emotional

• Reduces depression in pre-adolescents and as kids age
• Reduces substance use in adolescents
• Improves independence in children

Social

• The quality of the relationship between father and child appears to be the central factor in reducing challenging behaviours in early childhood, as well as later delinquency
• Positively involved fathers improve family relationships

Physical

• Improves overall health in children
• Reduces unintentional injuries risk in children
• Reduces risk of low birthweight
• Encourages healthy pregnancies
• Improves sleep in young children
• Increases breastfeeding rates

Benefits to mothers

• Increases and more frequent prenatal visits
• Reduces cigarette usage in mothers during pregnancy
• Reduces maternal depression
• In teen parents, positively involved fathers reduce maternal depression
• Positively influences mothers well-being
• Improves parents' relationship quality
• Reduces depression and stress in unmarried mothers
• Increases the support mothers feel in pursuing career goal

Benefits to fathers

• Fathers are financially better off than other men
• Fathers have stronger connection to community and social networks for support
• Fatherhood motivates men to improve their health
• Fatherhood provides a new sense of purpose and meaning
• Children can inspire fathers to improve the relationship with their partner or their employer

Sources

• Allen S, Daly K, Ball J. Fathers make a difference in their children's lives: a review of the research evidence. In: Ball J, Daly K, eds. Father involvement in Canada: Diversity,
  renewal and transformation. Vancouver: UBC Press; 2012. p. 50-88.
• Sethna V, Perry E, Domoney J, Iles J, Psychogiou L, Rowbotham, et al. Father-child interactions at 3 months and 24 months: contributions to children's cognitive
  development at 24 months. Infant Ment Health J. 2017 May;38(3):378-90. doi:10.1002/imhj.21642
• Zhang B, Zhao F, Ju C, Ma Y, et al. Paternal involvement as protective resource of adolescents' resilience: roles of male gender-role stereotype and sender. J Child Fam
  Stud. 2015 July;24(7):1955-65. DOI: 10.1007/s10826-014-9995-3
• Simonelli A, Parolin M, Sacchi C, De Palo F, Vieno A. The role of father involvement and marital satisfaction in the development of family interactive abilities: a multilevel
  approach. Front Psychol. 2016;7:1725. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01725
• Lee, S. J., Sanchez, D. T., Grogan-Kaylor, A., Lee, J. Y., & Albuja, A. Father early engagement behaviors and infant low birth weight. Matern Child Health J. 2018 Oct;
  22(10):1407-17. DOI: 10.1007/s10995-018-2521-2
• McClain L, Brown SL. The roles of fathers' involvement and coparenting in relationship quality among cohabiting and married parents. Sex Roles. 2017 Mar;76(5):334-45.
  DOI: 10.1007/s11199-016-0612-3