The involvement of fathers is essential in the physical and mental development of children, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal Pediatrics. The paternal presence helps reduce depressive episodes, behavioral problems and early pregnancy. The father must invest in playing, sharing meals, reading stories …
Researchers from the Psychosocial Aspects of Child Health Research Committee point out that the role of the father is not redundant with that of the mother. If the mother brings comfort and stability, the father stimulates the child differently. Indeed, dads often take more risks in the game, which allows children to reduce their anxiety and develop their creativity.
Researchers also observed that fathers used more varied expressions with babies and very young children, thereby stimulating their language development.
Fathers also seem to stimulate children to reach out to others and to multiply harmonious social relations.
“The most important thing is to spend time with your children: sharing meals, taking them to the park, talking to them, reading them stories, listening to them … Actions which are all the more important in new family contexts. recomposed and numerous divorces, ”the researchers conclude.
A divorced father can play the same role in children’s development
Regardless of the family context, the researchers point out that it is the male presence with children that matters. The divorced father, the grandfather, the uncles can play this role and get involved in the development of the child.
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