Fathers are often seen as playmates. Fathers are more likely to initiate rough and tumble play. Children prefer dad as a play partner, but more often go to mom in stressful situations. Fathers are equally as capable as mothers of caretaking, demonstrating competence, and being sensitive to a child's needs. Fathers, like mothers, pick up on the meaning of an infant's cry and react appropriately.
Fathers are actually better at keeping a baby's attention.
Observed caregiving differences between mothers and fathers are believed to be due to training and experience, not to any innate qualities mothers have over fathers. Children whose fathers were actively involved with them during the first eight weeks of life managed stress better as school-agers. Premature infants whose fathers spent more time playing with them had better mental outcomes at age 3, whether their father resided in the same house or not. Sons of nurturant fathers are more likely to model them and internalize their modes of thinking and problem-solving. A father's level of education and success on the job is linked with children's intellectual abilities.