Are fathers important when it comes to raising children in your opinion?

[Anonymous]

Yes

No

[lumos]

Technically, yes. In heterosexual relationships at least. In general I feel like both parents play a massive role in the kid's life, whether straight or gay. I think it's important for kids to have a healthy relationship to both their parents, and it's important that both help out with raising the kids equally. That way the bond will be equally strong with both, plus it's more fair if both parents share the work as opposed to only one parent doing all the work. Less stress = happier family = a happier, healthier kid.
I think it's sad that society pretty much focuses on only teaching girls to be nurturing. It's a trait that everyone benefits from if they ever plan to have a family. Too many people see women taking care of their kids as "doing their job", whereas men taking care of their kids is just "babysitting", something they get brownie points for because it's not expected of them.
I just saw a video of a group of dads who went dancing with their kids. And sure it was a very cute video. But the comments were full of praise and admiration. I'm just wondering, had a video been posted of women dancing with their kids - would it have gotten the same amount of admiration and love? I doubt it, considering that it's expected of women to go above and beyond for their kids, and we consider it normal. Whereas if dads do something similar, it's seen as hilarious, quirky, adorable etc. Which is funny because it should be expected of dads too.

[JetplaneJane]

My father was and still is very important to me. He has my highest respect and I will always be thankful to him for everything he has done. I wouldn't be the successful woman I am today without him, so obviously I think a good father figure is crucial to the development of a child.
All of my best childhood memoires are with my father, and many of my most impactful life lessons were taught to me by my father. Sure, he was very strict and judgemental​ sometimes, but he always told my brother and I that he was there to teach us how to make it in the world, not to be our best friend. Even the mistakes be made with us got turned into lessons.
And I know this is a hugely unpopular opinion, but: I think mothers are extremely overrated. Fathers can be just as nurturing and emotionally beneficial to a child as any woman can.

[Fitness-Fanatic]

Both parents have different roles , but both are equally important in a kids life. Both parents should have equal responsibility in raising their kids , even if they've split up

I have always been close to both of my parents. My father died a few years ago , and although I'm close to my mum.. I miss my dad so much. He was the one I turned to for guidance and advice. My mum thinks a lot like me, so my father could always show me things from a man's/father's perspective.

I was fortunate to have two loving parents who were both family oriented.

I have so much empathy for father's who can't see their kids coz the mother intentionally prevents him from having contact, due to her own selfishness. It's cruel to keep kids away from their father unless he was a danger to them of course.

[NarcoMedusae]

As a girl who grew up without a father I feel that it is very very important that children have a father in their life. When a girl grows up without their father they don't know how men are supposed to be and will often get into very sad situations. As a child I remember wanting a father so much and almost every older man that was nice to me I would consider them my father figure and because of that I got into a lot of bad situations and also dated a lot of bad guys. When a boy grows up without a father he doesn't have someone there to show him how men are supposed to act and treat others, A boy also wouldn't have a father there to talk to him about guy things like male puberty and stuff. I feel its very important for the father to be there.

[Investigator]

You can tell how important a father is to the emotional and development upbringing of children by how much trouble is caused without one present.

Me personally, I have a dad, but he was absent from most of my early life, so I was raised primarily by my mother. In turn, I became sort of a momma's boy and was effectively coddled into an incompetent, helpless simp who constantly called out for my mommy whenever something when wrong. It's taken many, many years to undue that early programming due to a lack of a strong male role model in my life, but it's a work-in-progress. Some of my siblings haven't been so fortunate and are still very much in the nest.

Just like a man is not truly qualified to give a girl a "woman's perspective" (not docking single fathers, but its true--which is a sexist statement nowadays), a women cannot give a boy a man's perspective and upbringing. If we reproduced by asexual division, then there would be absolutely no difference and everyone would be, more or less, the same. But because that is not the case (which is a plus, because differentiation breeds fascination), this is what we have.

[OlderAndWiser]

Both parents are essential and anyone who thinks they can just as good as a single parent is simply wrong. In the poll results, it is not surprising that women do not value men as much as men do. Traditionally, women have a gender arrogance of superiority when it comes to parenting but, of course, they are viewing the world of parenting solely from a female perspective.

[Stellastarling]

well @OlderAndWiser as you so declare yourself, you may have experience but you're not a woman. that makes all the difference. in the United States, 80.6 % of single parents are mothers. Among this percentage of single mothers: 45% of single mothers are currently divorced or separated, 1.7% are widowed, 34%of single mothers never have been married. these women have had to nurture their children on their own without a father. they might feel that yes, it's possible and FYI it definitely is but no one denies the fact that it gets a lot easier if you have someone else with you. I'm pretty sure that the women who have said no have faced it themselves i. e having to rear a child on their own. it's hard, it's definitely not easy. rape, is another factor. some of these mothers don't want a kid but are not cruel enough to put them up in an orphanage. they have a choice, but they usually take the hard one. that's what makes a woman different from a man

[Izumiblu]

He's right, the question was not about whether or not a single female could raise a child the question was whether a father plays an important role. Since you are throwing around statistics I'll throw a few at you. Single mothers are three times more likely to live in poverty than married mothers. Children of single mothers or 4 times more likely to live in poverty than children from married mothers. Children of single mothers are five times more likely to drop out of high school than children from married couples. By now, you should get the point. The question was about whether or not fathers play an important role, not whether a single mom can succeed at raising a child though it is obviously much more difficult without a father hence the obvious conclusion that fathers play an important role.

[Stellastarling]

and what do you propose I said? I just happened to object at him saying that women might have reasons for saying no. what's the problem in that? it's their choice. I'm explaining possible reasons why they chose no.

[Izumiblu]

It's not relevant to the question, those women don't have a good reason for saying no, statistics bear out single motherhood provides more challenges than raising children in marriage... by far.

[Stellastarling]

true. I apologize. I think I took the question in a wrong way.

[OlderAndWiser]

@Stellastarling As my profile says: "I know I'm not the oldest user on this web site and I don't think I am the wisest. My user name means that now I am older, I have gotten wiser than I was when I was younger."

[Anonymous]

Fathers are critical despite what feminism has tried to teach society over the last 40 years. Study after study has shown that children raised without a father are at far greater risk for emotional, mental and social problems. Women who choose to raise children without a father AND fathers who abandon their kids or choose to ignore their responsibilities as fathers are the lowest form of life on the planet.

thefatherlessgeneration.wordpress.com/statistics/

www.fathers.com/.../

fatherhoodfactor.com/us-fatherless-statistics/

www.thespruce.com/fatherless-children-in-america-statistics-1270392

[AleDeEurope]

They're crucial. Both parents are very important, but honestly, with how the world works right now (I know I'll get a lot of shit for this), fathers are more important than mothers. At least with the typical parenting style that mothers and fathers tend to have. Moms tend to focus too much on feelings, instead of being harsh and preparing the kid for the real world. A dad will tell his kid that the painting needs some work, it's good, but it needs some work, which will make the kid put extra effort on future paintings. Moms would tell the kid the painting is great and will hang it on the fridge, which basically tells the kid that they don't need to try harder, despite the painting actually being mediocre.

Obviously this doesn't apply to every single parent, but from experience, and typical male and female behavior, that's what it tends to be in most cases. That's why it's important for kids to have both parents.

[BaileyisDarcy]

One of my aunts has been doing pretty decent without her husband (hes been working in the mines so would only be home a week of every month) but he's quitting the mines so he's going to be home every day now (with the exception of a new day job) we're all hoping that means the kids get some proper discipline because as it is, they're a little unruly.

So while I dont think its one hundred percent neccesary for the father to be involved (or the mother if the dads the single parent) but it is best to have them both in the picture.

[fauchelevent]

Hmm, difficult. Children can grow up well without a father if necessary. My boyfriend's father died when he was young and he and his brother grew up quite happily because they had a great mother. There are also people in same sex relationships where a father isn't present or people where for some reason the father cannot be there to help raise the child. Having at least one strong guiding figure is important, I think, whether it's a mother or a father or a grandparent or any other guardian figure is irrelevant, their presence is all that matters... If there is a father and they are around to help raise the child though, I think their parenting is extremely valuable.

[Deydey12345]

I voted yes BUT they have the second role.
They did not carry that child for 9 months and they don't have breast to breastfeed, the mother is supposed to feed the child through breastfeeding, comfort the child through breastfeeding (yes the number one comfort for babies is sucking on their moms breast) so who does a baby go to when he's hurt or hungry or wtv? MOM.
Dads role is to support mommy and help with cleaning and go to work.
But ofcourse all moms these days are shitty.. Makes kids and try to change roles with the man who has no clue what to do with a crying baby since he has no breastmilk..
I call those moms inferior and etc.

[Heemus_Christ]

I disagree, sure I didn't carry him for nine months but I'm a single dad and my son is perfectly fine and I can't argue that breast feeding isn't comforting to an infant, but for to say that a dad's only role is to support a mother clean and work. but his mother isn't around. so when he's hurt, hungry, or whatever I'm the first person he calls even when I'm not there. so how is that possible and I'm his father?

[Bvroon]

I really think they are, but I can tell you the job is not for the faint of heart. Any guy can help make a baby, it takes substantially more to be a father and all of what that entails, and as if that were not enough, I spend a good deal of my time wondering if I'm doing a good enough job at being a father. Somebody my children want to look up to, somebody they feel comfortable enough to ask my advice when they need it, or just to share an idea or thought with me. I suppose this means I'm doing alright because it seems to me the parents that seem to believe they are doing great are the ones who are no so much...

[peachblossomluck]

My son gets so much joy from being a Dad! I feel sorry for all of the good men who are denied this experience. We need to live in a society where men are valued parents and get to enjoy providing for and nurturing their children. It's the way it's supposed to be.

[Razal]

I totally agree !!

[asheslee]

I am a parent. My husband plays an enormous and very important role in raising my boys. I am certain that if I had to, I COULD do it without him, but I would never want to. My boys get so much from him.

[Rissyanne]

Very important... that is a major problem today. No fathers in the family. There are to many grandparents aunts and sisters raising kids. Some of can't be helped... but a good portion are people making bad choices.

[Sakura99]

But also some of those families without dads don't have them for good reasons, my dad was an abusive prick and I wish I never had him in my life ever now that he's gone everything has been so much better my brother (4 yr old) and sister (7 yr old) are no longer getting abused like I did when I was their age. Other families have the dad bail before the kid is even born, don't judge these families because there are no fathers, their are very logical reasons why there aren't

[Rissyanne]

@Sakura99 but just like I said a good portion are people making bad choices.

[Sakura99]

That's not exactly the case I think only a minority do

[Rissyanne]

@Sakura99 Well I disagree. No body is forcing these women to get pregnant with sorry ass men who won't stay around.

[Neodampiel]

very important, mine was a deadbeat druggy. I ended up being a problem child. kids need a father just as much as they need a mother. father traditionally provided structure and discipline while mothers traditionally provide love and support. You need both growing up to be well rounded. it also helps provide a balance between genders and a learning tool for how to interact with genders learning from parents so long as they are good role models

[musicbrain5]

They absolutely are important. Each parent plays a unique but equally crucial role in a child's development. I think it's important for every child to have positive adult role models of both genders, especially if they're from a single parent household.

It's too bad that there are a small number of men, and women too, who don't give a shit about their children.

[Sakura99]

Well yes they are but some men are just horrible and shouldn't raise kids, so the importance of fathers or mothers in a relationship should be abased on how they treat others and how much effort they put into things. Cause my dad is a prime example of bad father and I wish he wasn't in my life ever cause he was abusive both mentally and physically. Things like that prove that SOME men and women aren't important to raising a child.

[ThisDudeHere]

Absolutely. How much of a coincidence is it that some 70% of the US prison population comes from single parent households - very specifically - single mother households.

Not trying to undermine mothers but fathers do a much better job at instilling character and discipline.

[lumos]

That's quite the generalization, especially considering the fact that so many moms are annoyed at how their kids see the dad as the "fun parent", who they get to play with and do whatever they want with. Whereas the mom usually takes on the role as the one who disciplines the kids and therefore becomes the "less fun parent".

[ThisDudeHere]

@lumos she is not disciplining but commanding. Mothers tend to command their children, as I've noticed whereas fathers are more natural leaders and actually inspire the kids to learn and behave, instead of threatening with reprisals if they don't behave.

Mostly.

[lumos]

Personally haven't really seen that tendency.

[jayjay16]

I think it's important, both parents are important. a mother can teacher the child many things, but I think there are certain things only a father can teach their children.

[dolemite68]

of course they are, my view was always that both parents have a vital role over a childs lifetime but i think in general women are crucial for the younger years like comforting kids when they need it and teaching them fundamental things and when kids get older dads are important teaching them how to be adults and not give up on things when they are hard

[Sara413]

Of course they are. That's not to say single parents aren't able to raise their kids well, but the more loving and actively involved family the better... mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles, grandparents, etc.

[MagiAlphaOne]

YES! The statistics of Fatherless homes are shocking!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4N00Kfbe8Q&list=PLpLPy0jIi-VG6FUcUCuP7rMKhnmD476TW

[Idonthaveausername]

Another great video from you. (Still haven't been able to check out those other links yet). I did a report on how divorce affects children when I was in 8th grade and used a lot of statistics like these. Kids who grow up in divorced households are much likelier to be promiscuous, have abortions, divorce themselves, and deal with mental illness, specifically depression. Kids need both of their parents to be active in their lives growing up if they want a chance in the world as adults

[MagiAlphaOne]

@Idonthaveausername You are welcome! Its EXTREMELY important for young Men who want to get married to be choosy about who they marry. Unfortunately, Women initiate most of the Divorces.

www.huffingtonpost.com/.../women-more-likely-than-men-to-initiate-divorces-but-not-breakups-study-finds_us_55d61f03e4b0ab468da049bb

[menina]

Yes, of course fathers are important when it comes to raise a child. Especially if he's a good father.
Children need both.

[kamfani1]

The debating on fathering is indisputable: father have a crucial role to play in the cognitive, social, and emotional development of their children. An involved father is one who is engaged, available, and responsible. He is sensitive and supportive, nurturing and affectionate, and comforting and accepting. Feminism nowadays are campaigning for raising kids without a father so that they will respect women ridiculous

[rosealia192939]

i just turned 15 and my father JUST decided to come into my life. I've had a few problems and in all honesty its cause a few issues when it comes to being with a guy but i also feel its made me stronger in a certain ways. if it were up to me i wouldn't change it im proud to have overcome everything so far at the point in my life that im at on my own