The role of the father in the child's life

A child needs a father just as much as a mother – this is a self-evident truth, and it's impossible to disagree with it. However, there's still a belief that the bond between mother and child is paramount, with the father's role in a child's life taking a backseat. What kind of father does a child need, and what is his role in raising a child?

The role of a father in a child's life - a father is needed from the moment of birth

It's natural that in the first months of life, a baby forms a strong bond with its mother. It's no surprise – after all, it was the mother who carried it in her belly for the last nine months, so her relationship with the baby is longer than the baby's contact with its father. Furthermore, the hormones accompanying pregnancy support and facilitate a woman's ability to form a strong bond with her child. It's the mother who can breastfeed the newborn, thus satisfying a basic physiological need, while also providing the needs for closeness and security. Does this mean that a father is unnecessary in a baby's life at this stage? Of course not! The father's role in a child's life is important from the moment of birth. In the first months of life, a new father's primary task is to provide optimal living conditions for both mother and child. This is all to help them feel safe. The father is the "third person" in the relationship with the baby. His role is to somewhat loosen the tight bond between mother and newborn and show the baby a wider world. At the very beginning, this wider world is the father for the baby. The father shows the baby that there is a world beyond the mother. It proves that the world is safe and—above all—interesting and worth exploring. A father should remember that he doesn't have to, and indeed shouldn't, imitate his mother. Ideally, he should present himself to the child as a completely different person, thus enriching his still-small worldview.

The role of a father in raising a child – spending time together

Over the past decade or even decades, the father's role in the family has changed significantly. Men are no longer considered solely breadwinners. They are an important figure in a child's life, always finding time for them. Like mothers, fathers care for their children, accompanying them in daily activities. They also help develop their passions and are the best playmate. Time spent with fathers is just as important to a child as time spent with mothers. After all, each parent exposes the child to the world differently. This allows the child to see the world around them differently. Even if a father is very busy, he should set aside part of the day for the child. He can become an expert in a specific area, for example, dressing the newborn in the morning or bathing the child daily. Such small rituals are very important and help build a strong bond between the child and the father. Importantly, shared daily routines are important not only for the child but also for the father himself. Thanks to them, the father's self-esteem grows – after all, he is able to care for the newborn just as well as the mother.

The role of a father in his son's life

A father plays a different role in a son's life than in a daughter's. For a son, a father is a guide through the male world. He largely determines how his son perceives himself as a man and manages relationships with others (including women). Boys imitate their fathers and learn from them through observation. The image a son sees of his father will shape the kind of person he will become in the future. That's why it's so important for a father to show him, for example, a partnership with his mother and teach him respect for others. A father should show his son support, for example, by letting him know he's proud of him. Such actions will help build a boy's self-confidence. On the other hand, a father's role in his son's life is to show him that men cry sometimes, feel sadness, and feel emotion, and that it's okay. After all, you can be brave and strong, yet caring and moved at the same time.

The role of a father in his daughter's life

A father's role in a daughter's life is just as important as in a son's. A father is the first male role model a young woman encounters. It's through him that a girl learns how to treat men. She also learns how to be treated by men. This will undoubtedly help her build relationships in the future. A father's acceptance of a daughter is crucial in a father-daughter relationship. Thanks to this, a daughter will be able to develop a sense of self-worth, self-confidence, and acceptance of her own body. A daughter who experiences love and respect from her father will be able to seek the same from other men in the future.