The Daddy & Family Magazine Winter 2014 Issue #1 | Page 62

Dads Make The
Difference
By Bill Black & Tom Tozer

Dads have a direct and important impact on their children. The things you do, the love you
show, the encouragement you provide, and the structure you create all have an influence on
your child’s development.
Now the Equality of Opportunity Project from the National Bureau of Economic Research has
reaffirmed the key role of parents . In this new report on social mobility and the ability of children to move up in
the world, it is noted that the strongest predictors of upward mobility are measures of family structure. High mobility
areas in the U.S. have greater family stability.

Balance Keepers
When we have a child we become immediately responsible
for that child’s welfare. It is a big job. Dads play a significant
role in their children’s development, well-being, and
ultimate success. We’re called upon to be balance keepers
– maneuvering the various roles of employee, spouse,
partner, custodian, cook, errand runner, cheerleader, coach,
“We’re called upon to be balance keepers
counselor, decision maker, and father. If we’re lucky, we get
– maneuvering the various roles of
a ton of help from a terrific spouse. But it’s still a big job and
employee, spouse, partner, custodian,
we can get out of balance if we’re not careful to assess our
bearings every once in a while and re-group. coach,
cook, errand runner, cheerleader,

counselor, decision maker, and father.”

– maneuvering the various roles of employee, spouse,
partner, custodian, cook, errand runner, cheerleader, coach,
counselor, decision maker, and father. If we’re lucky, we get
a ton of help from a terrific spouse. But it’s still a big job and
we can get out of balance if we’re not careful to assess our
bearings every once in a while and re-group.

Involved Fathers
The element that is most often associated with positive life
outcomes is the quality of the father-child relationship.
Children are better off when they have a safe, secure, and
supportive relationship with their dad.
Children with involved fathers are more likely to be well
adjusted, have developed skills, do better in school, make
connections with others, and have higher levels of economic
and education achievement.
If you’re an involved father, give thanks and be proud of
your accomplishment and dedication. Your children are at a