2 minute read
Why father’s matter
The crucial impact of fathers and father figures on child development and wellbeing
National Fathering movement, The Fathering Project, highlight that, “Fathers and father figures play a critical and distinct role in children’s lives and the evidence demonstrating fathers’ potential to positively influence their children’s health, social success and academic achievements is indisputable.”
Research conducted by The Fathering Project “shows that targeted and universal interventions aimed at promoting positive parenting behaviours and fathers’ engagement increase fathers’ involvement, significantly improve child outcomes, and prevent harmful and anti–social behaviours.”
Here is a summary of the findings, with further detail available from The Fathering Project at https://thefatheringproject.org/ why-fathers-matter/
Health and development – Father engagement and involvement has been associated with increased levels of social responsibility and capacity for empathy, social maturity, self–control and self–esteem.
Education and school engagement – Father involvement in school and educational activities is associated with improved cognitive outcomes, few behavioural difficulties and greater school enjoyment in children.
Mental health and addiction –Involved and engaged fathers provide significant protective and positive impacts on their children’s mental health including prevention of mental illness and more positive attitudes towards help seeking.
(GPCC) are a partner school with The Fathering Project to help support the fathers and father figures within our school community. At our launch this year Principal Phillip Nash spoke about families being the cornerstone of a flourishing society, and how the vital role of dads can often be undervalued. The Fathering Project gives the College a simple framework to stay connected with our father’s, and provides benefits as they get to know other dads and realise they don’t have to go it alone.
Through The Fathering Project GPCC will host events each term that will help to engage fathers in the lives of their children, knowing this will have direct impacts on the wellbeing of our students. The College has formed a dad’s group to provide ongoing weekly resources direct from The Fathering Project, as well as avenues to reach out if they are struggling in any particular area within their family.
Behaviour and Delinquency –Children and adolescents who have more involved fathers or father figures are less likely to engage in delinquent and anti–social behaviours such as property, violent or drug related crime, cheating at school or participating in gang fights – particularly for boys.
Green Point Christian College
The launch event was a BBQ and Paper Planes evening with over 150 dads and kids attending. Time to share a meal together, create the best paper plane, and then get competitive in flying them the greatest distance was a great way to kick off The Fathering Project at GPCC. Our next event will engage a guest speaker to address some of the challenges dad’s have raised with us, and ways that we can walk alongside them in their role that matters incredibly to their family and children, as well as the wider community.
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