The role of the father from an early age affects the development of the child to adulthood

In the development and growth of children, it is not only the role of the mother that is needed. However, the role of the father greatly determines the mental condition and development of the child, even since the baby is still in the womb. Perhaps most people think that a newborn baby only needs the figure of his mother and that only a mother can take care, care for, and know all the needs of the baby. But did you know that the role of fathers in caring for their children is very important, it can even affect cognitive development and build children's behavior into adulthood?

Child development is influenced by the role of the father from an early age

A study involving a group of children born in 2000 to 2001, was conducted with the aim of examining the role of fathers in relation to children's cognitive and behavioral development. The data collection time is divided into 3 times, namely when the child is 9 months to 3 years old, 3 years to 5 years old, and when the child turns 5 years to 7 years.

The researchers used several tests to look at the behavior and psychological health of the children, which were analyzed based on the age group of the children studied. From the results of research conducted in England, it is known that children who are close to their fathers since the age of 9 months tend to be more active and creative when they are 5 years old. This is evidenced by the value of the SDQ test, which is a test that measures the psychological health of children. In addition, fathers who have cared for, paid attention to, and participated in helping with childcare since the child was 9 months old, had more children whose emotions were well controlled.

Another study, which was conducted in 2007, states that the role of parenting a father towards a child forms an inner bond between the father and the child, shaping the child's behavior and psychology until he grows up. Meanwhile, children who do not get or feel their father's role from an early age tend to have unstable emotions and have many social problems when they are teenagers.

The earlier the attention the father gives, the better it will be for the child's emotions

From the two studies previously described, it is evident that the role of the father is very important in the development of children, even when the child is very young. From parents, children get various lessons that they do not get at school. In a study conducted in England, it was also stated that simple behaviors such as carrying, hugging, inviting children to play since the age of 9 months by fathers can make children have creative behaviors and their psychology is well developed. Meanwhile, children who only felt their father's attention when they were 5 years old tended to have more behavioral problems than children who had felt this attention when they were 9 months old.

Not only good for psychological health, the role of fathers in caring for and taking care of children from an early age is proven to be able to form social competence, initiative towards the environment, and more easily adapt to new environments. In contrast to children who grow up with the roles and concerns of their fathers, children who grow up without a father tend to have behavioral problems when they are at school, such as difficulty focusing, feeling isolated, feeling different from other children, and being absent from school more often.

Some theories suggest that boys who do not get their father's attention often experience sadness, depression, hyperactivity, and depression. Meanwhile, girls whose fathers do not participate in their care tend to be too independent and individualistic. In fact, a study that examined the behavior of children with the role of the father, found that a sense of loss of the father figure, or feeling less cared for by the father will make children more emotional and have behavior disorders when the child enters adolescence.