There is overwhelming evidence that a parent's involvement in a child's education makes a very positive difference. In the past, often an unstated assumption was made that parent involvement meant mothers involvement. Research shows that the involvement of fathers, however, no matter their income or cultural background, can play a critical role in their children's education.
According to a publication, A Call to Commitment: Fathers' Involvement in Children's Learning, published by the U.S. Department of Education, when fathers are involved their children learn more, perform better in school and exhibit healthier behavior. Even when fathers do not share a home with their children, their active involvement can have a lasting and positive impact. The Education Department is working for fuller recognition and inclusion of fathers in all of their programs because of the huge impact fathers can have on their kids.
Children glean from their fathers a range of choices about everything from clothing to devotion to a great cause. This promotes positive moral values, conformity to rules, and the development of conscience. Our schools need kids that possess these traits and fathers are the key. The emotional, mental, and spiritual tools we help our children develop at home also help them at school.
In his book, Fatherneed, Kyle Pruett points to research that shows that even very young children who have experienced high father involvement show an increase in curiosity and in problem solving capacity. Father's involvement seems to encourage children's exploration of the world around them and confidence in their ability to solve problems. Fathers demonstrate to their children that male adults can take responsibility, help to establish appropriate conduct, provide a daily example of how to approach life, and the importance of achievement and productivity. Fathers, like mothers, should also serve as models in the area of spiritual life. If a father and mother don't take the lead in modeling their religious faith to their children, society will fill the void with its morals and spirituality.
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