ALUNA TEMPLE MAGAZINE Edition No3 'INITIATIONS' | Page 32

‘FATHER & DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP
in times of Puberty'

Shushann Movsessian
? Author of national bestseller, Puberty Girl 2004
www.shushann.com/
Every father can make a huge difference in his daughter’s life. A father is the first man his

daughter knows. With that powerful and potent position of ‘first man’ comes the ability to set the
norm of manliness for your daughter. This norm can ultimately be stronger than what anyone else
tells her.
When we truly listen to our daughters we help reduce the odds that our girls will be caught in a
cultural bind that limits her options and behaviour because of her gender. We can fight the effects of
this gender limitation/stereotype by never requiring or expecting her to be in her limitation when
she’s with you. Fathers influence how their daughter sees herself. With a father’s positive
words and support, a daughter can be safe and healthy, and can thrive no matter where life takes her.
A girl whose father listens to and respects her will expect her life partner to listen to her and treat her
well. Fathering a daughter with love and respect ensures she will choose people and situations that
nourish her long after she’s left your house.
It’s often difficult to feel connected to your little girl as she grows up but studies have consistently
shown that girls who have a good relationship with their fathers have healthier relationships with
men, increased self-esteem and sense of self-worth and fewer overall mental health concerns.
How can you nurture your relationship with your daughter without either pushing her away or
locking her in her room till adolescence is over?
By making an effort to stay connected, to nurture
your relationship with your daughter and to
keep the lines of communication open.
So much of the changes girls go through are shared
with their mothers and dads can feel excluded. Also
puberty and adolescence often coincides with a time
when fathers are in the peak of their careers and
may be absent and unavailable around the daily
routines
because
of
work
commitments.
Father & Daughter © Amie Lee

Fathers generally have as much or more impact as mothers do in the following areas of their
daughters' lives:
?
?
?
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achieving academic and career success
creating a loving, trusting relationship with a man
dealing well with people in authority-especially men
expressing anger comfortably and appropriately -especially with men.
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