Thursday, June 10, 2010
Hands-On Dads: Today’s Fathers Are More Engaged
From Saint Louis University Medical Center
There are more reasons than ever to be thankful for dad this Father’s Day.
Many of today’s dads are more involved in the day-to-day lives of their children, says Heidi Sallee, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University. While it is still not common, more fathers are choosing to be stay-at-home dads or work from home, while even more are the primary caregivers when mom travels for work or serves in the military.
“Unlike the Ward Cleavers of generations past who were primarily authoritarian figures, today’s dads are more involved in raising their children and, as a result, often have friendly relationships with their children,” said Sallee, who is a pediatrician at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.
According to Sallee, when dads play an active role in their child’s life, everyone wins. For example, teenage girls who have a good relationship with their father are less likely to take part in risky behaviors such as having sex or using illicit drugs.
Read the full article here.
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