There is strong research evidence showing that the involvement of fathers in their children's life has a significant benefit to their child's well being and development, particularly during the early and teenage years. Some of the benefits include continuing involvement by the father; good parent-child relationships in adolescence, a reduced risk of children getting in trouble with the police, higher educational attainment and a reduced risk from later mental health problems.
Research on the benefits of father involvement
Flouri, E. and Buchanan, A. (2004)
Early Father's and Mother's Involvement and Child's Later Educational Outcomes
British Journal of Educational Psychology, 74, 141-153
Flouri, E. and Buchanan, A. (2003)
The Role of Father Involvement in Children's Later Mental Health
Journal of Adolescence, 26, 63-78
Goldman, R. (2005)
Fathers' Involvement in their Children's Education
London: National Family and Parenting Institute
Dex, S. and Ward, K. (2007)
Parental care and employment in early childhood: Analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) Sweeps 1 and 2, Working Paper Series No. 57
Manchester: Equal Opportunities Commission, Research Series, pp. 110
Useful research publications on fathers
Lewis, C. and Lamb, M. E. (2007)
Understanding Fatherhood: A review of recent research
York, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Lloyd, N, O'Brien, M., and Lewis, C (2003)
Fathers in Sure Start Local Programmes. Report 04 National Evaluation of Sure Start
London: Birkbeck, University of London
O'Brien, M. (2004)
Fathers and family support
London: Family and Parenting Institute
Commission on Families & the Wellbeing of Children (2005)
Families and the state: Two-way support and responsibilities
London: Family and Parenting Institute
Various (2008)
Men in the Lives of Children
Early Child Development and Care, Volume 178 Issue 7 & 8 2008