Specialist Psychologist Sena Sivri pointed out that fathers have an important place in the mental and spiritual development of children, as well as mothers, and said, “The faulty relationship established between the father and the child can negatively affect the child’s life. So much so that developing sexual identity, feeling safe and valuable in the world, accepting authority and boundaries, academic success, social relations and self-perception can cause problems and developmental disruptions. A healthy father-child relationship supports the strengthening of the child’s self-perception and healthy development in all developmental, social and academic areas.
IMPORTANT POINTS OF FATHER-CHILD RELATIONSHIP
Moreover, in recent years, the role of fatherhood has reached a much more important point due to factors such as more participation of mothers in working life, the change in family structures and the increase in divorces. Psychologist Sena Sivri states that the role of the father is formed with the pregnancy of the mother and says, “It is of great importance that the mother includes the father in this process, gives him space and supports the relationship in order for this role and the relationship established to continue in a healthy way after birth.” Specialist Psychologist Sena Sivri from Acıbadem Fulya Hospital talked about 8 important benefits of a healthy father-child relationship on children’s development; made important suggestions and warnings!
SUPPORTS EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The emotional development of children who show their father’s love, express this verbally and behaviorally, listen to and support him in his problems, are healthier. So much so that children feel safe and valued. These feelings play a decisive role in the foundation of the relationships they will establish throughout their lives.
MAKES IT EASIER TO DEAL WITH CHALLENGES
A healthy father-child relationship enables children to easily cope with the difficulties they experience during their developmental stages. While the father’s supportive approach encourages them in childhood between the ages of 6-12, it helps them to express their feelings comfortably, develop problem-solving skills and cope with their negative emotions in adolescence.
INCREASES ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Specialist Psychologist Sena Sivri stated that the healthy relationship established with the father also supports the academic success of the children and said, “Establishing a healthy relationship with the father and knowing that they are supported strengthen their self-confidence and motivation. It also enables children to have healthy role models and set goals. In addition, it helps them to work harder and to be motivated. All these increase the academic success of children.
SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIALITY
Father-child development, social norms and rules are effective in teaching sociability. Specialist Psychologist Sena Sivri, pointing out that a healthy relationship with the father makes children feel safer in social environments, says, “It also supports the child to be more assertive and establish new healthy relationships.”
TEACHES SEXUAL IDENTITY AND ROLES
A healthy father-child relationship is also very important for the child to discover his own identity. Pointing out that the problems that the child will experience in the relationship with the father make this process more difficult, Specialist Psychologist Sena Sivri says, “Children with problems, especially boys, may experience identity crisis and delays can be observed in the development of this process.”
TAKES A KEY ROLE IN PARTNER RELATIONS
Children learn about their perceptions of relationships by observing the relationship of their parents. They model the behaviors of the parents they choose as role models and determine their own attitudes accordingly. Children who observe the father’s loving and supportive approach to their mother will also approach their partners in a similar way in the future. Children who observe the opposite can display problematic, distant and avoidant attitudes in their relationships.
BEING DETERMINANT ABOUT THEIR OWN PERCEPTIONS OF PATHERNESS
The relationship with the father is also important in determining the paternity role for boys, just as it is in relational roles with the opposite sex. A healthy father-child relationship is decisive for boys in terms of wanting to be a father in the coming years, developing a healthy perception of paternity and behaviors.
THE CONCEPTS OF AUTHORITY AND LIMITS ARE DEVELOPING
The father is the one who encourages and encourages his child, but is also the limiter and rule maker. For this reason, a healthy relationship with the father is of great importance both for the child to protect his own boundaries and to respect the boundaries of others, as well as his view of authority figures.