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Family Support:

The Importance of Incorporating Active Fathers in the Home While Their Child/Children Are Receiving Services

silhouette of father and children holding hands walking outdoors

By TJ Curtis, Family Peer Training Coordinator, Families Together in New York State

The involvement of fathers in their children’s lives has been widely researched, showing positive effects on a variety of outcomes. When children are receiving services such as therapy or counseling, it becomes even more crucial to ensure that fathers are active participants in the therapeutic process. The inclusion of fathers strengthens family dynamics and promotes holistic healing, which enhances the efficacy of the services.

1. The Role of Fathers in Child Development

  • Emotional and Social Development: Studies have shown that children with involved fathers tend to exhibit better emotional regulation, social competence, and self-esteem compared to children without fatherly involvement (Lamb, 2010). Fathers offer a distinct form of emotional and social support, which is complementary to that provided by mothers (Pleck, 2012).
  • Cognitive Development: Research also suggests that children with active father engagement perform better academically. Fathers often introduce their children to different problem-solving techniques and learning strategies, fostering cognitive growth (Flouri & Buchanan, 2004).

2. Family Systems Perspective

  • Holistic Approach to Therapy: From a family systems perspective, it is essential to include all key members of the household, particularly fathers, in the therapeutic process. This helps clinicians understand the full scope of family dynamics that could be influencing a child’s behavior or emotional state (Bowen, 1978). Fathers’ unique insights can contribute to more effective treatment interventions that address the needs of both the child and the family as a whole.
  • Co-Parenting and Communication: Effective co-parenting is crucial for children’s emotional well-being. When fathers are actively involved in the therapeutic process, it can lead to improved communication and conflict resolution skills between parents, enhancing the family environment (McHale et al., 2002).

3. Benefits to the Therapeutic Process

  • Consistent Support: Children who are undergoing therapeutic services often require support from all caregivers to reinforce the strategies they are learning. Active father involvement ensures that children receive consistent guidance, which leads to better outcomes in therapy and services (Bögels & Phares, 2008).
  • Modeling Healthy Relationships: Fathers who participate in therapy and provider sessions demonstrate the importance of seeking help and engaging in open dialogue. This modeling can positively impact children by showing them healthy relational behaviors (Lamb & Tamis-LeMonda, 2004).

4. Addressing Barriers to Father Involvement

  • Cultural and Societal Expectations: In some cultures, or societal contexts, fathers are not expected to play an active role in child-rearing, particularly in therapeutic settings. These cultural barriers can be addressed by providers who encourage and facilitate father involvement, thereby challenging traditional roles and promoting equality in caregiving (Pleck, 2010).
  • Scheduling and Practical Challenges: Fathers often face logistical barriers, such as demanding work schedules, that limit their ability to participate in family meetings/ services. Offering flexible options like telehealth or weekend appointments can help overcome these challenges (Fleck et al., 2018).

5. The Importance of Father-Child Bonding During Treatment

  • Emotional Security: Active father involvement provides children with a greater sense of security, especially when they are dealing with the emotional stress that comes with receiving services. This emotional support from fathers can create a stable foundation for children as they navigate interventions (Cabrera et al., 2014).
  • Healing Family Dynamics: The presence of fathers in therapy allows for the exposure and healing of underlying family dynamics. Fathers who actively engage in these processes contribute to healthier family interactions, which are crucial to a child’s recovery and overall emotional well-being (Lamb, 2010).

The absence of active father involvement in a child’s life, particularly when the child is receiving therapeutic or developmental services, can have several negative consequences. These drawbacks can manifest in various aspects of the child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development, as well as the overall family dynamic. Here are some key consequences:

1. Weakened Emotional Support and Security./

  • Emotional Gaps: Fathers often play a critical role in providing emotional security and stability for their children. When fathers are absent, children may feel a sense of emotional neglect or abandonment, which can hinder their ability to form healthy emotional attachments. This can lead to issues such as anxiety, depression, or behavioral problems (Phares, 1996).
  • Increased Emotional Stress: Without father involvement, children receiving services may lack additional emotional support, leading to heightened stress during the healing process. This could delay progress or diminish the effectiveness of interventions designed to help the child.
Happy father playing with children on hardwood floor at home

2. Impact on Social and Behavioral Development

  • Social Skills Deficits: Active father involvement is linked to improved social skills and better peer relationships (Parke, 2002). When fathers are not present, children may miss out on the opportunity to learn key social behaviors, such as problem-solving and conflict resolution, which can affect their social competence.
  • Higher Risk of Behavioral Issues: Children who grow up without active fathers are statistically more likely to exhibit behavioral issues, including aggression, delinquency, and difficulty following rules (Lamb, 2010). This can be exacerbated during therapy, as the absence of a consistent paternal figure may contribute to instability in the home environment.

3. Reduced Cognitive Development and Academic Performance

  • Academic Challenges: Research has shown that children with involved fathers tend to perform better academically, as fathers often provide a different kind of support for learning, such as encouraging persistence and problem-solving (Flouri & Buchanan, 2004). In the absence of father involvement, children may not receive this additional academic support, potentially leading to poorer performance in school.
  • Delayed Cognitive Growth: Without a father’s unique contributions to learning and exploration, a child’s cognitive development may be slower. This is particularly relevant when a child is receiving services like speech or occupational therapy, where cognitive engagement at home can reinforce the treatment plan (Pleck, 2010).

4. Dysfunctional Family Dynamics

  • Strained Co-Parenting Relationships: The absence of fathers in therapeutic and service settings can place additional pressure on the other caregiver, often the mother, leading to imbalanced parenting dynamics. This strain can result in increased conflict between parents, which can negatively affect the child’s emotional well-being and undermine the service receiving progress (McHale et al., 2002).
  • Lack of Shared Responsibility: When fathers are not involved, the burden of managing the child’s care often falls solely on one parent. This imbalance can lead to burnout or frustration in the primary caregiver, further complicating the home environment and diminishing the quality of care provided to the child.

5. Increased Risk of Mental Health Problems

  • Heightened Risk of Mental Health Disorders: Research indicates that children without father involvement are at an increased risk for mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and conduct disorders (Cabrera et al., 2014). The presence of a father can serve as a protective factor against these conditions, particularly when the child is already receiving services for emotional or behavioral challenges.
  • Difficulty in Emotional Regulation: Fathers help children develop emotional regulation skills. In their absence, children may struggle to manage their emotions effectively, which can result in more severe behavioral or emotional issues that might require them to participate in receiving services for a longer than anticipated period (Pleck, 2010).

6. Missed Opportunities for Modeling Healthy Relationships

  • Poor Role Modeling: Fathers play a key role in modeling healthy relational behaviors, such as communication, problem-solving, and empathy. Their absence can deprive children of learning these important life skills, which are essential for navigating relationships later in life (Lamb & Tamis-LeMonda, 2004).
  • Negative Perception of Gender Roles: The lack of father involvement can reinforce unhealthy stereotypes about gender roles, particularly if the child perceives caregiving and emotional involvement as solely the mother’s responsibility. This limited view may affect how the child interacts with others in their own relationships as they grow older (Parke, 2002).

7. Undermined Therapeutic Progress

  • Inconsistent Application of Therapeutic Strategies: Active fathers reinforce therapeutic strategies at home, helping to create a consistent environment where interventions can be practiced. When fathers are absent, it is harder to implement therapeutic recommendations consistently, which can hinder the child’s progress in therapy (Bögels & Phares, 2008).
  • Delayed Family Healing: Therapy often addresses not only the individual child but also broader family dynamics. Without father involvement, it can be more difficult to address these dynamics fully, potentially delaying family healing and prolonging the need for services (Bowen, 1978).

Conclusion

The absence of active father involvement in a child’s life, especially during therapy and or service interventions, can result in a range of negative outcomes, from emotional and behavioral issues to impaired cognitive development. Fathers provide unique contributions to their children’s growth, and their presence in the service settings ensures a more holistic and effective approach to treatment. Encouraging fathers to take an active role in their children’s services can significantly enhance therapeutic outcomes for the child and promote healthier family dynamics.

References:

  • Bögels, S. M., & Phares, V. (2008). Fathers’ role in the etiology, prevention and treatment of child anxiety: A review and new model. Clinical Psychology Review, 28(4), 539-558.
  • Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice. Jason Aronson.
  • Cabrera, N. J., Volling, B. L., & Barr, R. (2014). Fathers are parents, too! Widening the lens on parenting for children’s development. Child Development Perspectives, 8(4), 228-233.
  • Flouri, E., & Buchanan, A. (2004). Early father’s and mother’s involvement and child’s later educational outcomes. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 74(2), 141-153.
  • Lamb, M. E. (Ed.). (2010). The role of the father in child development (5th ed.). Wiley.
  • Lamb, M. E., & Tamis-LeMonda, C. S. (2004). The role of the father: An introduction. In M. E. Lamb (Ed.), The role of the father in child development (4th ed., pp. 1-31). Wiley.
  • McHale, J. P., Kuersten-Hogan, R., & Rao, N. (2002). Growing points for co-parenting theory and research. Journal of Adult Development, 9(3), 221-234.
  • Parke, R. D. (2002). Fathers and families. In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), Handbook of parenting: Vol. 3. Being and becoming a parent (2nd ed., pp. 27-73). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  • Phares, V. (1996). Fathers and developmental psychopathology. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Pleck, J. H. (2010). Paternal involvement: Revised conceptualization and theoretical linkages with child outcomes. In M. E. Lamb (Ed.), The role of the father in child development (5th ed., pp. 58-93). Wiley.

About the writer: 

TJ Curtis is a dedicated Family Training Coordinator at Families Together, where they leverage years of experience in youth and family mental health advocacy and peer-to-peer support. TJs’ journey in this field began as a youth advocate for CCSI, leading them to serve on the board of directors for Youth M.O.V.E. National Inc. TJ has also contributed their expertise to the boards of the Federation of Families and SAMHSA.

In their current role, TJ focuses on developing workshops and training programs aimed at enhancing youth and family development services. TJ’s passion lies in supporting youth, families, men, and fathers to ensure healthy outcomes for all. Alongside his professional commitments, TJ is pursuing a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at North Central University, furthering their expertise to better serve those in need. TJ’s tireless dedication to the well-being of families and their commitment to advocacy make them a valuable asset to the community.

Email Address: Tcurtis@ftnys.org     Phone:  646.276.0534