The Importance of Fathers

A recent study reports, “Children of confident fathers who embrace parenthood are less likely to show behavioural problems before their teenage years… a man’s attitudes towards fatherhood soon after his child’s birth, as well as his feelings of security as a father and partner, are more important than his involvement in childcare and household chores when it came to influencing a child’s later behaviour” (The Guardian, November 22, 2016). In our modern world, where more children are growing up in fatherless homes and where fathers are more focused on their jobs and themselves than on their family, the results of this research is important to recognize.

The Bible reminds us that children are a gift of God and are a happy blessing to fathers (Psalm 127:3-5), and Scripture emphasizes that fathers are to be loving leaders in the home (Ephesians 5:22-33; 6:1-4). Bible prophecies state the time is coming when the hearts of fathers will be turned toward their children, and the hearts of children will be turned toward their fathers (Luke 1:17; Malachi 4:6). Christian fathers today must work hard to focus on leading their wives and children, and when they do, their children will reap many blessings! For more on this critical topic, read “Fatherless Families?”