Most of the time, it is seen that teenage issues of drugs, alcohol, anti social behaviours, crimes, suicidal tendencies, teenage pregnancies are all related to disturbed childhood, broken families, lack of parent's affection, bad psycho social influence, poverty and many more. When a child is born, he or she is completely naive and unaware of these worldly intricacies. It is the environment, the socio economic set up and the parent's influence which makes him good or bad later in this world. Ideally, the perfect place for a child to grow normally with sound value system is within a stable and socially sound environment with both parents being completely involved. Like a mother, the father, too is the one who would love his child unconditionally and remain loyal to him or her throughout life. In fact, father is fundamentally 'the figure' in the child's life and development. It is he who gives the feeling of security, loyalty and competence not just to the child but the entire family. Therefore, like a good mom, a good daddy has the same amount of influence in child's psycho social growth and future life. Any amount of negative behaviour and bad influence of either parent will cause a long lasting damage to the child's growth and behaviour throughout his or her life. Fathers who may stay or may not stay in the family or a skilled or unskilled one do influence the child's life greatly.

Enough researches on child welfare have shown again and again that the father's involvement in the child's upbringing is utmost necessity for his or her emotional well being, psychosocial behaviour, academic achievement and cognitive qualities. As the child grows up, his brain development and cognitive qualities develop through his experiences. So during this period, utmost nurturing, emotional well being and responsive interactions are required. Not only this, even the father and mother's relationship have a great impact on their children's development. This, in fact presents them as a model of family or a concept of social structure for their future life. Normally, a mother showers her utmost care and affection as the child's grows up. But, sometimes, the child may be deprived of father's involvement and affection. Studies have shown that babies with good enough of affection and involvement from fathers are more emotionally secure and easily develop confidence to explore the external environment. They are more sociable and playful and have the readiness to attend their peers and playschool. They are well prepared to face their brief period of separation in school or at play. Father's involvement with the child is more of physical activity and one to one interaction which helps the child to deal with external emotions, physical contact and impulses in the external environment, better self control, generosity and better reciprocity. The father and child bonding have a direct impact on child's psychosocial behaviour. This helps the child to become more independent and develop a better sense of orientation of the external world. Children of respectful and involved fathers are more confident, have high self esteem, and are emotionally balanced. Therefore, they can deal better with stress, frustration, less likely to fall into depression and unhealthy relationships. Girls of such fathers have high self confidence and are emotionally strong enough to handle the external environment. They are aware and know exactly how men should treat them and therefore seldom become victim of psychosexual behaviour. Fathers who treat his wife and other women with respect and in appropriate manner would always have sons interacting in similar fashion.

Ample studies have been done on motherhood impact on child upbringing. But experts believe that negative parenting; bad influence of fathers can cause lifelong damage to child's personality. Such children and teenagers are very often involved in aggressive, destructive behaviour, bullying natured and can be linked to troubles of drug and alcohol. These children can have even criminal tendencies. Children whose fathers have demise or are not in contact may suffer from deep sense of depression and low self esteem. In such cases, social fathering figures like grandfather, uncles or step father can be of great help. Poverty and low socioeconomic structure also have great impact on child's behaviour. Such children are constantly under economic stress. Sometimes, such children can also become victims of father's or the family's stress and frustration. They may feel neglected all the time. They may suffer from lack of affection and financial strain which in turn give them criminal tendencies. In such cases, warmth and nurturing behaviour of parents are necessary for the child's welfare.

Several studies carried out by different agencies including US Census Bureau have found surprising facts where cases of drug, alcohol problems in teenagers, behavioural problems, physical abuses, teenage pregnancies, delinquencies and suicides are all associated with father's absence. According to Child Protective organizations, children with father's absence or may be presence of social father (non biological) have higher risk of negligence and physical abuses. Whereas, presence of father child contact, or children with involved fathers have shown promising academic functioning, less behavioural issues and better socio economic growth. Fatherhood researches have revealed that there is even increase release of oxytocin from fathers who are greatly involved in their babies from initial weeks which in turn helps in great father child bonding. At the same time, it has been found that there is lowering of some level of testosterone release (male hormone) which drives the father to be more nurturing and affectionate. Although it is not clear but it has shown that father's involvement helps more in child while developing perseverance trait than the mother's role.

Therefore, enough of evidences have suggested time and again that fatherhood has great impact on the child's upbringing. Though mother's involvement is very crucial for the child but sometimes father's involvement can make a more favourable impact on the child's future life. I think, most of us regard 'father' as the most adorable person, a guide and a friend who would lead through our highs and lows of life. Whenever, a child around us says 'My daddy is greatest and strongest', we know how treasured it sounds!!

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A Medical Professional enthusiastic in writing articles on health related issues.