“Being a great father is like shaving.

No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow.”

—Reed Markham

Dad, you are important!

A father’s presence in the lives of his children can yield significant, measurable benefits, and his absence can create an

equally measurable risk for harm.

Small boys become big men through the influence of big men

who care about small boys.”

—Author Unknown

ContentsBenefits for Children & FathersDifficulties of Fatherhood

Following God’s Model:

Acceptance

Accessibility

Presence

Discipline

Faithfulness

Goodness

Benefits for Children & Fathers

Benefits to children of involved fathers:• Higher levels of school

performance• Better psychological

development: – Greater empathy– Higher verbal skills– Higher self-esteem – Increased curiosity– Higher academic scores

Benefits to children of involved fathers:• Economically stable homes • Decreased possibility of experiencing violence,

abuse, and harsh discipline• Strong attachment with the father allows the

possibility of future confident relationship formation, instilling a sense of security and safety; a central place from which children can explore the world.

• It can promote a healthy model of male-female relationships.

benefits for fathers

Fathers have much to benefit from their relationships with their children.

“The guys who fear becoming fathers

don’t understand that fathering is not

something perfect men do, but

something that perfects men.”

—Frank S. Pittman, MD

• More developed sense of self and self-confidence• Greater ability to care for others; a more mature

understanding of empathy• An increased ability to express and demonstrate

positive emotions• Increased ability to delay gratification in benefit of

others• Greater participation in the community and larger

involvement in the church• Greater sense of well-being and personal satisfaction

–Source: “The Effects of Father Involvement: A Summary of the Research Evidence,” Father Involvement Initiative Ontario Network, Fall 2002 newsletter; and Glen Palm, “Involved Fatherhood: A Second Chance,” Journal of Men’s Studies, November 1993.

benefits for fathers:

“A truly rich man is one whose children run into

his arms when his hands are empty.”

—Author Unknown