Dads make a difference

CBN by Linda Mintle, Ph.D, LMFT

For a number of single parent families operating without a dad in the picture (not usually by choice), Father's Day will be a sad day.

I'll never forget my television appearance on Queen Latifah's now defunct talk show in which I shared the stage with several teenagers. They were on the show because of violent impulses to hurt others or do harm to their schools. Every one of those teens had no father in their lives. It was a fact hard to overlook. And when I talked about absent dads, these tough kids began to cry on national television.

Dads matter. Don't buy the cultural lie that families run smoothly without them.

Caring fathers:

Influence their child's academic achievement into adolescence and adulthood
Influence their child's linguistic and cognitive capacities
Raise children more likely to be emotionally secure and confident
Decrease risk factors for delinquent behavior
Who rough house, help children deal with aggressive impulses and physical contact without losing emotional control
Help promote independence
Are a protective factor for depression
This Father’s Day weekend, thank your Dad for all he’s done for you and encourage the single parent families you know, reaching out to the kids who don’t have a father figure in their lives.