71% of fathers spend less than 4hrs a day ‘parenting’ their children
78 % of fathers would like to spend more time with their children
59% of mothers would like to spend more time with their children*

The results of a study recently published in the journal Early Child Development and Care has found that men’s parenting skills improve and that the family as a whole benefits when fathers spend more time ‘solo parenting’ their children.

The study involved 110 Melbourne families with children aged between 3 and 12 years old.

Melbourne University researcher and author of the study Margot Prior said “Kids need their fathers for them to be around and doing the organising part of their lives. Our culture is to leave it all to mum.”

Fathers involved in the study who spent considerable time with their children said they felt the child’s well-being was improved, their own sense of worth rose and it promoted them from the role of “assistant parent”.

Dr Daniel Nettle, a UK researcher in the field of child development carried out a study in 2008. The results were published in the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour and found that children who also spent significant time alone with their father have had a higher IQ.

He said “What was surprising about this research was the real sizeable difference in the progress of children who benefited from paternal interest and how thirty years later, people whose dads were involved are more upwardly mobile.”

“The data suggest that having a second adult involved during childhood produces benefits in terms of skills and abilities that endure throughout adult life,” he added.

* A survey by the Financial Services Council

Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald. Journal Evolution and Human Behaviour.