Often, when discussing fathers and their importance, we focus on the impact they have on their sons. It makes sense. Boys are more likely to model their lives after their fathers and their masculinity. They will also be greatly affected by male-to-male mentorship.
Fathers can also have a huge impact on their daughters.
Fathers have a major impact on the lives of their daughters, from academic success to mental and physical health.
Take a look at the five areas where this influence is most evident:
1. Sense of Agency
The ability to act according to one's desires in the world is agency. We can shape our lives to what we desire by using agency. Men tend to be more assertive than women, and they are also more comfortable in conflict.
Why do men feel more agency than women? This is likely due to a combination of biology and socialization. The higher testosterone levels of males are associated with agentic impulses and behaviors, such as the desire to explore or to achieve status. On top of this, cultures tend to socialize males to be competitive and independent and females to be cooperative and nurturing.
A greater sense of agency has many benefits. It can help people overcome anxiety and depression, progress in their careers, and build healthy relationships. Both men and women would benefit from a strong sense of agency.
Dads are a major influence on the sense of autonomy in their daughters. Fathers are more inclined than mothers to expose daughters to new and potentially risky situations. In one study for instance, fathers allowed their daughters aged three and four to walk on a beam three feet high or play on a catwalk five feet high. Dads are also more likely to encourage daughters to think independently and stand up for themselves than mothers.
How can you increase your daughter's sense of agency? Start by roughhousing with her. This is a great way to boost your agency. Do things with your daughter. Take her with you on errands. Together, work on home projects and show her how to use the tools you have. Take small risks on adventures with your daughter. Model high-agency behavior when you face setbacks. All of these things will help your daughter be proactive and confident.
2. Physical Health
The health of their daughters is heavily influenced by the fathers. In a study, the father's total and percent body fat, rather than the mother's was found to be the best predictor for whether the daughter of a couple gained weight or not as she aged. The fathers have a large impact on their daughters' participation in sports during childhood. Not moms, but dads are the ones who encourage their daughters (in general). It's fathers' physical activity which has the greatest influence on the physical activity of women in adulthood.
What can you do for your daughter's health? Roughhousing is helpful here. Encourage your daughter's participation in sports. Encourage her to take part in active activities such as hiking, cycling, kayaking and more. Encourage her to develop a sense of self. You can best model good health by exercising regularly and eating well.
3. Mental Health
Recently, there has been much written about the increase in mental health issues among teenagers. Dads play an important role in preventing mental health issues in their daughters. It has been proven that strong and warm father-daughter relations can help prevent depression and anxiety among teenage girls. This effect continues into adulthood. This is likely due to the influence that a father has on his daughters' sense of agency.
The body image of young women is a major cause of anxiety and depression. According to research, dads can help reduce body image problems. Daughters who have a close relationship with their fathers tend to be less body-conscious and happier with themselves than girls without this kind of connection.
Teenage girls are also affected by this problem.
No comments:
Post a Comment