The impact of active fatherhood on child development
Friday, July 12, 2024.
The early years of a child's life are critical in laying the foundation for their overall growth and well-being.
Quality time spent with parents during these formative stages can lead to significant positive outcomes.
Breaking research from Japan highlights the crucial role of a father’s involvement in enhancing their child’s mental and physical development.
Simply put, active and engaged fathers contribute to raising well-rounded children.
In Japan, however, a traditional gender-based division of labor has historically limited fathers' participation in childcare.
This cultural norm, especially prevalent among men in their 20s to 40s, prioritizes work over family, resulting in minimal paternal involvement in child-rearing activities.
As more mothers enter the full-time workforce, the gap in familial childcare support widens. In response to declining fertility rates, the Japanese government is now promoting increased paternal engagement, urging fathers to take on more active caregiving roles alongside their traditional breadwinning responsibilities.
Although fathers' participation in childcare has been on the rise recently, the specific impact of this involvement on child development has not been thoroughly investigated until now.
A groundbreaking study published in Pediatric Research, utilizing data from the largest birth cohort in Japan, sought to explore this connection.
Led by Dr. Tsuguhiko Kato from the National Center for Child Health and Development and Doshisha University’s Center for Baby Science, the research focused on the effects of paternal involvement on infant developmental milestones.
“In developed countries, the time fathers spend on childcare has increased steadily in recent decades. However, studies on the relationship between paternal care and child outcomes remain scarce. In this study, we examined the association between paternal involvement in childcare and children’s developmental outcomes,” explains Dr. Kato in a media release.
Using data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, the research team evaluated developmental milestones in 28,050 Japanese children. These children, who experienced paternal childcare at six months of age, were assessed for various developmental markers at three years old. Additionally, the study examined whether maternal parenting stress influenced these outcomes at 18 months.
“The prevalence of employed mothers has been on the rise in Japan. As a result, Japan is witnessing a paradigm shift in its parenting culture. Fathers are increasingly getting involved in childcare-related parental activities,” Dr. Kato notes.
How The Study was Conducted
The study measured paternal involvement through seven key activities: feeding, diaper changes, bathing, playtime, outdoor activities, dressing, and general caregiving. Each father’s engagement level was scored, and these scores were then correlated with developmental delays, using the Ages and Stages questionnaire as a benchmark. The results are promising.
High levels of paternal involvement are linked to a reduced risk of developmental delays in areas such as gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and personal-social skills. Furthermore, active father participation in childcare also appears to reduce maternal parenting stress, indirectly benefiting the child's overall development.
Final thoughts
In an era where parenting roles are evolving, this research underscores the advantages of increased paternal engagement in child-rearing. Not only does it boost a child’s developmental progress, but it also alleviates the pressures on mothers. This understanding promotes a more balanced approach to parenting, fostering healthier and more fulfilling lives for children and their families.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Kato, T., & National Center for Child Health and Development. (2023). The relationship between paternal involvement and child development outcomes in Japan. Pediatric Research. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-023-02156-4
National Center for Child Health and Development. (2023). The benefits of active fatherhood in early child development. NCCHD News Release. Retrieved from https://www.ncchd.go.jp/research/news_release
Doshisha University Center for Baby Science. (2023). Exploring the impact of paternal childcare on child development. Doshisha University Research Publications. Retrieved from https://www.doshisha.ac.jp/research/child_care
American Psychological Association. (2023). Changing roles: How fatherhood influences child development. APA Monitor on Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/06/fatherhood-child-development
