Why Fathers Are Important

Following are some common barriers to father involvement, including suggestions on overcoming those barriers:

• Barrier: Pressure of work and career can result in little time for parenting. Personal choices as well as work policies affect time available.
  Solution:Make it a priority to spend time with your child.
• Barrier: Some mothers are uncertain about increased father involvement.
  Solution: For fathers to increase their parenting roles, women must make room for a collaborative parenting effort. Mothers who welcome father involvement and speak positively to children about their father invite a full parent partner. Men who believe they are good fathers and who think that their wives think they are good fathers are more likely to be involved with their children.
• Barrier: Lack of support for fathering (positive role models, preparatory classes, support groups) makes it harder for fathers.
  Solution: Participating in "Dads and Kids" community programs, taking parent classes, reading books or checking out Internet sites for fathers, and talking with other fathers about parenting builds a network of father support.

Fathers who are taking on more and more of the nurturing and caregiving roles of parenthood are redefining fatherhood.