Dads Bring Important, Unique Style of Parenting

	posted by Scott on Wednesday October 10, @06:15PM from the fatherhood dept.
	There's an awesome article on DrKoop.com about the ways fathers interact with babies, and the benefits of dad's unique style of parenting. Everything from how dads hold and talk to babies to the way they encourage rough-and-tumble play styles, which actually makes children less aggressive as they get older, is mentioned. It's a great article to show others when discussing the importance of fathers even when a child is in its infancy.

	Source: DrKoop.com Title: The Daddy Difference Author: Kim Lachance

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On Adult Terms by Hawth on Wednesday October 10, @07:37PM EST (#1) (User #197 Info) Very good and uplifting article. And I think it makes a good point when illustrating how fathers treat their babies more like future adults than simply as babies who need to be forever coddled. It's often said that women are more "empathic" than men. From daily observations, I can see where this generalization comes from. Women tend to respond more quickly and sympathetically to the distress of other people, no matter how minor. We chalk this up to women being more sensitive and nurturing; I think it would be more accurate to say that women respond to the needs of people of all ages as if they were small children who depend heavily (or exclusively) on other people for care and assistance. It's almost like, in women's eyes, all people are children. Men, on the other hand, seem less sympathetic mainly because men tend to treat people more as adults (or future adults) who are capable of solving their own problems. Obviously, both approaches are equally good and essential. It's just that one is usually more appropriate than the other in certain situations.

Re:On Adult Terms by Thomas on Wednesday October 10, @09:16PM EST (#2) (User #280 Info) Good analysis, Hawth. A pleasure to read.

Re:On Adult Terms by frank h on Wednesday October 10, @09:54PM EST (#3) (User #141 Info) I contend that motherhood and fatherhood are equally critical to a child's upbringing, but at different times. Mother's care is critical, and the father's secondary, until a child reaches adolescence. From then on until about age 16 to 18, a father's care is critical and mother's secondary. In saying secondary, I do not mean optional. I'm not a psychologist, just an engineer who tries to pay attention, so I might well be all wet. Frank H

Re:On Adult Terms by Hawth on Wednesday October 10, @10:34PM EST (#4) (User #197 Info) Ditto, Frank. Did I just presume to understand a little of the female psyche? I hope to hell I'm right or I'll be in for a major flogging from somebody! :-)

Re:On Adult Terms by Acksiom on Thursday October 11, @12:30AM EST (#5) (User #139 Info) You're all wet ;-) . Fatherhood is indeed critical to a child's upbringing long before adolescence. The research on children's development shows that quite clearly. Fathering is a vital part of the foundation upon which adulthood is built. And that foundation is being laid long before adolescence.

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