Children who have an active father figure have fewer psychological and behavioral problems

The researchers feel that it is important that professionals who work with young children and their families explore how actively fathers are involved with their children from an early age.

“Involving them in healthcare visits and explicitly seeking their opinions when making decisions could be a good way to promote high levels of engagement” says Dr Sarkadi. “Stressing that fathers have an important role in promoting their child’s social and emotional development is another good strategy.”

Governments and employers also have an important role to play in ensuring that men can spend quality time with their offspring, stress the authors.

“Public policy has the potential to facilitate or create barriers to fathers spending time with their children during the crucial years of early development” says Dr Sarkadi.

“Unfortunately current institutional policies in most countries do not support the increased involvement of fathers in child rearing. Paid parental leave for fathers and employers sympathetic to fathers staying at home with sick children is still a dream in most countries.

“We hope that this review will add to the body of evidence that shows that enlightened father-friendly policies can make a major contribution to society in the long run, by producing well-adjusted children and reducing major problems like crime and antisocial behaviour.”

Notes to editors

• Fathers’ involvement and children’s developmental outcomes: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. Sarkadi et al. Acta Paediatrica. 97.2, pp 153-158. (February 2008).

• Acta Paediatrica is a peer-reviewed monthly journal at the forefront of international pediatric research. It covers both clinical and experimental research in all areas of pediatrics including: neonatal medicine, developmental medicine, adolescent medicine, child health and environment, psychosomatic pediatrics, child health in developing countries. It is published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd, part of the international Blackwell Publishing group. www.ActaPaediatrica.com

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