For instance, when their father left, the children would cry or complain just like when their mother left. Other research results indicate that children seven months to two years are attached to their parents. This finding reconfirms the importance of both parents to their children's early stage development. Fathering cannot be ignored because fathers play an important role in helping their children grow. Research findings consistently reveal that warm and affectionate fathers not only can help their children develop positive self-esteem, but also influence the development of their children's gender role behavior.
Fathers are significant for both boys and girls.
For instance, boys can learn from their fathers about growing up as a male, male interests, activities, and social behavior. Girls can learn from their fathers to develop a trusting comfortable relationship with men. Loving fathers also have a positive influence on achievement in boys and personal adjustment in girls. Loving fathers who provide limit setting, moral reasoning, and reasonable and firm guidance without imposing their will can help promote their children's competence. Research on father-child involvement also shows that fathers are significant for children, sensitive to children and fathers' play with children is different from mothers'.