A father is a male parent who aids in the creation of a child. But merely bringing a child to the world doesn’t make an individual a father. There are several things you’d have to do to be a father in the real sense. So, what is the definition of being a father?
A father is someone who will give you unconditional love without a doubt and be there to pick you up when you fall. He will point out your wrongs and guide you towards doing what’s right. A father will always have your best interest at heart. He is the rock of the family and will always try to direct you towards becoming your best self.
A biological relationship isn’t always necessary to become a father. A father can be anyone who is very significant in your life, loves you, and is there for you when you need them. In this article I will discuss what it truly means to be a father.
What Is A Father?
A father, by definition, is an individual who biologically creates a child. But you may or may not have a biological relationship with your father. Besides being a parent, a father might be a legal guardian who possesses certain obligations and rights towards a child. A father can be an adoptive one, a biological one, or even a step father.
A father plays a vital role in the family. It’s necessary to have a father when starting a family, and he’s also essential for a child’s development. There are specific roles of a father that he’s obligated to fulfill and there’s a detailed job description that comes with the title.
It involves being emotionally and physically available and making decisions while raising a child. Fatherhood is a responsibility, and children do better with a father’s guidance. While a mother’s role is irreplaceable, a father’s role is critical too, if not equally important.
What Makes a Good Father?
A good father is relative to everyone, but there are several things to consider if you want to know what makes a good father. As a father directly impacts a child’s life, it’s essential to be a good one. Some traits precisely count when it comes to being a good dad.
He is an individual who realizes that children are entitled to making mistakes and are also human. Additionally, he counts these mistakes as a part of life, mentors his children, and also teaches them how to be responsible. The following traits are a few that make a good father:
- He teaches his children to be appreciative of everything
- He’s very open-minded
- He is very accepting of his children
- He makes time for his family members
- He practices what he preaches
- He shows support and is loyal
- He tries to teach his kids new things
- He’s the protector of the family
- He’s capable of unconditional love
There are numerous other things a father does that makes him a good dad but these are the essential traits that every good father should have. The true definition of being a father is different for everyone.
A father can be your step-parent or not have any relation to you at all. Regardless of the biological relation to your father, there should be a good one in your life to help make healthy decisions in every step of the way.
How Important Is a Father for a Child’s Development?
Like mothers, fathers are imperative for a child’s development and well-being. While it is true that a child can turn out to be an incredible human being without the contribution of a father, research evidence shows that children also need a father figure while growing up.
Fatherhood is becoming an emerging subject for research. According to Paul Amato, a sociologist from Pennsylvania State University, children grow up better when fathers have active involvement in their lives. The researchers are calling this effect “The Father Effect.” It’s an umbrella term that highlights the advantages of having an active paternal presence.
The quality of time matters more than the quantity of time. There has to be active involvement in the child’s life. Fortunately, today, many fathers want to be more involved and are more aware of these things.
A father also sets the bar for an individual’s relationship with others. They influence who we are on the inside and how we interact with others. It directly affects how and what an individual looks for in a partner, a friend, or a spouse. It also dictates the kind of person an individual is attracted to or chooses to be in a relationship with.
Young girls rely on their fathers for emotional support and strength. If a father is loving and warm towards his daughter, his daughter will also want such qualities in her partner. She will relate with such characteristics closely in other men.
Boys identify closely with their fathers. Boys see themselves in their dad, and a good dad can create a clear lens into what a good man is supposed to be. Boys seek their father’s approval from a young age and if a father is loving, nurturing, and respectful towards their sons, the boys have a great opportunity to grow up to be the same.
It’s essential to learn the difference between being engaged and being around. Fathers have to be involved in a child’s life. They also have to know where their children are in their lives. Even if fathers spend a lot of time with their kids, they have to spend quality time instead of intrusive time.
Fathers playing with their infant children directly influence the child’s cognitive development, and science backs it up. A study conducted by the Journal of Marriage and Family shows that children who had involved fathers scored higher on cognition than children who didn’t.
This Research also suggests that boys learn better social skills from fathers than mothers. The untimely death of their fathers early in life also affects sons more than daughters. So, to summarize, kids need their fathers from a very early age and the father effect is almost the same for girls as much as it is for boys.
The most important thing a father should remember while rearing his children is that they’re always watching and learning. Fathers constantly impact a child’s psychological, cognitive, social, and emotional development, and he also leads them towards adulthood. So, the best thing a father can do is be responsible and consider how his actions can affect his child.
Conclusion
So, the definition of being a father is very relative and subjective for every individual. I hope that this article has shed some light on the true meaning of being a father. For whatever reason that led you to this blog post, I hope that you have a better understanding of the definition of being a father.
Thanks for reading and thanks for your support.