Father’s Day is a time when people think about the influence of their fathers on their lives. Traditionally, Father’s Day has been about thanking fathers for their help, their role in teaching new skills, or even their jokes. While many dads may deserve praise for these reasons, in fact, many support their children in much deeper and less obvious ways.
Developmental psychology is now uncovering a multifaceted understanding that goes beyond the simplistic or gendered view of the role of fathers that is often portrayed on Father’s Day. In the past, many researchers considered fathers to be secondary caregivers. However, important societal shifts have led to increased father involvement across a variety of familial settings.
According to Statistics Canada, the number of gay couples raising children together is on the rise, as is the number of single fathers and stay-at-home fathers. Even in biparental mother-father families, fathers are more involved in child care than before. These societal changes made researchers consider the diversity of fathers and how their increased role in child rearing contributes to children’s positive development.
As a PhD candidate in developmental psychology, my research tries to uncover the unique ways that fathers influence their children. During my studies, I’ve worked in research laboratories at the University of Ottawa and the University of Maryland, College Park to understand how fathers from different backgrounds and cultures promot.
