Bridging Research and Policy: Including Fathers of Young Children in National Studies

Abstract

Not only may fathers be important to the social, emotional, and cognitive lives of their children, but they may also make unique contributions to child outcomes when compared to mothers (Lamb, 2000; Nord & West, 2001; Nord, Brimhall, & West, 1997; Parke, 1995). Fathers may interact with young children in significantly different ways and for different amounts of time than mothers; they may contribute to their child through financial support and stimulating activities; they may participate in the organization of routines in the child’s daily life; they may make major decisions about the child (or take part in such decision making); and they may offer emotional support to the child’s mother. They may also show love and affection through behaviors that are different from those of mothers, which might reflect gender expectations, family history, or perceptions about themselves as parents and what it means to be a parent.

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