Parents and Parental Rights | November 10, 2009 | 4 comments

Fathers Gain Respect From Experts (and Mothers)

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/health/03dads.html?ex=1272949200&en=8822595cdac6b783&ei=50...

Image
regjoeschmo
As much as mothers want their partners to be involved with their children, experts say they often unintentionally discourage men from doing so. Because mothering is their realm, some women micromanage fathers and expect them to do things their way, said Marsha Kline Pruett, a professor at the Smith College School for Social Work at Smith College and a co-author of the new book “Partnership Parenting,” with her husband, the child psychiatrist Dr. Kyle Pruett (Da Capo Press).

Yet a mother’s support of the father turns out to be a critical factor in his involvement with their children, experts say — even when a couple is divorced.

“In the last 20 years, everyone’s been talking about how important it is for fathers to be involved,” said Sara S. McLanahan, a professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton. “But now the idea is that the better the couple gets along, the better it is for the child.”
  1. groups:
    Parents and Parental Rights
  2. tags:
    Divorce,  Parental Rights,  Family Court,  family court reform,  2 more
  3.     
    |

4 comments // Fathers Gain Respect From Experts (and Mothers)

  • J_Jammer
  • Bra1nk
    • 0
      Bra1nk  

    • I no longer wait for an expert to give validation to the obvious. I no longer follow court orders because an expert stated an opinion. I don't listen to politicians for the same reason. I do not need the obvious validated by experts. I use my own Personal Power and hold myself accountable rather than waiting for the experts way to fail so I could then blame them. I will hold experts to their integrity (their word), but I don't need to be "Victim".

    • 2 years ago
  • regjoeschmo
  • regjoeschmo
    • 0
      regjoeschmo  

    • To the Editor:
      As one who has researched, written and lectured about fathers, I thank you for “Fathers Gain Respect From Experts (and Mothers)” (Nov. 3). Fathers indeed are different from mothers, and in no way deficient just because they are different.
      Omitted from the article, however, is the child’s perspective. Experts and mothers notwithstanding, the real test of a father’s contribution is in the eyes of his children. And there is now substantial empirical evidence showing that children very much want a meaningful emotional relationship with their fathers, whether or not the family is intact.
      After a half-century of demonizing dads, it is long past time for a paradigm shift — for the true best interests of the child.
      Gordon E. Finley
      Miami

    • 2 years ago
more from Parents and Parental Rights:
from the community

top videos