I think not. Still, it's a good idea for us fathers to occasionally ask ourselves how we are doing as dads. Father involvement makes a real difference. Whether the outcome is intellectual development, sex-role development, or psychological development, kids do better when their relationship with Dad is close and warm, regardless of whether Dad lives with them. 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 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. Caregiving differences between mothers and fathers are believed to be due to training and experience, not to any innate qualities mothers have over fathers.