Dads and the Role They Play in the Single Mom’s Family

Last updated: June 28, 2012 by Susan

Did you know that the number of dads actually caring – and by caring I mean “being there for the kids” – is growing at nearly twice the growth rate of single mothers in this country?

For whatever reason, you now live separated from the father of your child or children. Chances are you are also the breadwinner of the family, working your buns off just to put food on the table and making sure that your children get the best edge in life that they can get.

The last thing you need right now is to have to work with that guy to schedule quality time with your children.

Studies show, however, that fathers still play an important role in the life of a child – even if the father and mother are divorced from one another.

These studies point out that children with fathers that are actively involved in their lives from the moment of birth are more a) confident b) emotionally secure c) socially apt and d) likely to stay out of trouble. These same children are less likely to abuse substances (like alcohol or illegal substances) and turn out to be more cognitively and emotionally intelligent in the long run.

Now this is not a blanket rule and certainly does not apply to everyone. Some fathers are complete drunkards, abusers and hurtful bastards and are best kept out of the lives of children. Even in these cases, however, the child must be fully aware of his or her biological father’s condition. Simply pretending your child does not have a father will do more long-term harm than good.

In most cases, however, the divorce or separation occurs because of disagreements between husband and wife. If the father is not a completely broken human and is still capable of extending love to his children, then you should let him in to play a role in the lives of your children – even if the both of you could never come into a complete agreement.