Better than 60 percent said family-friendly policies would help them perform better on the job. And 75 percent of respondents to a 1987 Fortune magazine poll said they'd jump at the chance to trade rapid career advancement for family time. It would be a good investment. Dad's presence Besides the emotional payoff for dads, their increased involvement has huge benefits for kids. According to Young Children, the journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, more dad-time increases children's academic performance, sense of control and cognitive development.
Dads have the power to shape healthy gender-role development in both sons and daughters.
In a 40-year span of research on fathering, Emory University professor John Snarey found surprising benefits when dads engaged in ''less traditional'' activities with both sons and daughters. For example, Dr. Snarey found that fathers' support for girls' athletic endeavors led to daughters who were more successful in school and work. The reason, says Dr. Snarey, may be that a father's encouragement helps girls overcome passive female stereotypes and function independently. With sons, more dad-time in early childhood meant the males did better in school and later in careers. Unfortunately, the opposite may also be true.