father is better than mother debate essay

DEBATE TOPIC: Father is better than Mother ( Support and oppose the motion)

Discover why the debate on Father is better than Mother is more than just a comparison. Explore the unique contributions of both parents in child development.

The age-old debate of Father is better than Mother, or vice versa, in raising and nurturing children has sparked countless discussions. However, it’s essential to recognize that this isn’t a competition. Both fathers and mothers play indispensable roles in a child’s upbringing, each bringing a distinct set of qualities to the table. Let’s delve into the various aspects of this debate and explore how both parents contribute to the holistic development of their children.

DEBATE TOPIC: Father is Better than Mother – A Balanced Perspective:

When discussing the roles of fathers and mothers in child development, it’s important to avoid falling into the trap of pitting one against the other. Instead, let’s celebrate the strengths and attributes that each parent brings to the upbringing of their children.

Father’s Strengths and Contributions:

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Fathers contribute uniquely to a child’s upbringing. Their involvement is often associated with promoting physical activity, exploration, and risk-taking. Fathers tend to encourage independence, problem-solving, and resilience through engaging in activities that challenge children’s boundaries. Studies suggest that children with actively involved fathers exhibit higher levels of self-esteem and better cognitive development.

The Power of Play:

Fathers often engage in play with their children that involves physical activities and imaginative scenarios. This type of play not only fosters creativity but also aids in motor skills development. From building forts to playing sports, fathers encourage active participation and hands-on learning.

Setting Boundaries and Teaching Responsibility:

Fathers often emphasize discipline and structure, helping children understand the importance of rules and consequences. This approach aids in developing a sense of responsibility and understanding the outcomes of their actions.

Fostering Problem-Solving Skills:

Fathers tend to challenge children with puzzles, riddles, and constructive tasks that promote critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. This encourages children to approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset.

Mother’s Strengths and Contributions:

Mothers, on the other hand, bring their own set of strengths to child-rearing. Their nurturing and empathetic qualities create a secure emotional foundation for children. Mothers are often associated with fostering emotional intelligence, effective communication, and social skills.

Emotional Support and Communication:

Mothers excel in providing a safe space for children to express their feelings and thoughts openly. This emotional connection aids in building strong communication skills and healthy relationships in the future.

Teaching Empathy and Compassion:

Mothers are known for their ability to teach children about empathy, compassion, and understanding. Through their nurturing nature, they model the importance of caring for others and being aware of their emotions.

Nutrition and Well-being:

Mothers play a crucial role in ensuring the physical well-being of their children by providing proper nutrition and care. Their attention to health and hygiene practices establishes a foundation for a healthy lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Father is better than Mother

Q: Does the debate suggest one parent is superior to the other? A: No, the debate focuses on recognizing the unique contributions of both parents to child development, highlighting their individual strengths.

Q: Are fathers less nurturing than mothers? A: Not necessarily. Fathers may express nurturing in different ways, such as through play and encouragement of independence.

Q: Do single-parent households miss out on the benefits of both parents? A: While single parents can provide a nurturing environment, having both parents involved often brings a diverse range of influences to a child’s growth.

Q: Can a child’s gender influence their preference for one parent over the other? A: Children’s preferences for spending time with either parent can be influenced by a variety of factors, including personal connection, activities, and shared interests.

Q: How can both parents ensure a balanced approach to child-rearing? A: By recognizing and appreciating each other’s strengths, parents can work together to provide a holistic upbringing that encompasses various developmental aspects.

Q: Do fathers and mothers have equal impact on child development? A: Yes, both parents contribute significantly to a child’s development, albeit in distinct ways that complement each other.

Conclusion:

In the debate on Father is better then Mother, it’s important to shift the focus from comparison to collaboration. Fathers and mothers bring their own unique qualities to the parenting journey, contributing to the holistic growth of their children. By acknowledging and celebrating these strengths, we pave the way for a balanced approach to child development that benefits from the best of both worlds.

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Argumentative Essay On Are Mothers Better Parents Than Fathers

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: Youth , Parents , Women , Behavior , Children , Father , Teenagers , Family

Words: 1400

Published: 02/01/2020

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It is undeniable that mothers and fathers have different parenting styles within the family structure. Ideally, a family will have both a mother and a father present to raise a child, but this is not always possible in all sets of circumstances. Mothers and fathers often play different roles in a child’s life, and it is very difficult for one parent to raise a family on his or her own. Children require a great deal of attention, and it is therefore best for two parents to raise a child together. In the case where a single mother must raise a child, she will face unique challenges that a single father trying to raise a child will not face. Women in general will be paid less than men in most countries, and will therefore have to work longer hours to get the same salary as a man would. Children are expensive, particularly young children, and money problems can be very significant for single mothers (Venezaino, 2004). Single mothers may also face problems when it comes to finding a suitable partner, as it is more common for men to be unwilling to marry women with children than vice versa (Venezaino, 2004). When a single father is given the task of raising a child, he faces different challenges. Many men, for instance, are not used to the responsibilities that come with raising children, whereas women are more accustomed to all the tasks and problems that come along with childrearing and the responsibilities associated with childrearing (Venezaino, 2004). Single fathers do not often face the same level of economic challenge as single mothers, but their social challenges may be greater, and they may need to hire help to care for their child or children, if they have more than one. In addition, single-parent households often have to juggle custody arrangements, which, in the United States, heavily favor the mother (Venezaino, 2004). These custody arrangements can make it difficult for one of the parents to see the child frequently, causing issues with bonding between the child and the non-custodial parent. If the father is absent more frequently than the mother, then the child may experience certain effects; however, if the mother is absent more frequently than the father, the children will face different challenges. Deciding whether the mother or the father is the better parent can only be determined after looking at the differences in parenting styles between mothers and fathers. Regardless of whether mothers or fathers are better parents in general does not dictate whether or not a specific mother or father is a good parent, of course. However, when looking at the ideal candidate for a single-parent custodial arrangement, there are many different factors to look at. According to Martin et al.(2007), there are many ways to look at the differences between female and male parenting styles: Anadvantage to studying parents in combination is that it may be possible to identify interactions between the effects of mothers’ and fathers’ parenting that are not visible in studies of main effects. For example, based on the literature linking maternal and paternal supportiveness to early child cognition, it might be expected that the effects of a supportive mother and a supportive father are additive. However, there may be a synergistic dynamic between two supportive parents that produces a multiplicative effect (Martin et al., 2007). Mothers are certainly more nurturing than fathers for the most part, according to Martin et al (2007). For the most part, mothers have a bond that is formed with their children from the time they give birth to them; for fathers, this bond is acquired, not experienced as a biological imperative. Motherhood and pregnancy floods a woman’s body with hormones, causing her to feel elation and bond with her child (Martin et al., 2007). For babies, mothers are biologically better caretakers than fathers, because they can provide the child with milk and sustain them with important nutrients throughout the pregnancy. Research suggests that babies that are breastfed are often better adjusted and healthier throughout their lives; for this reason, mothers are imperative to the proper growth of the child throughout its infancy. As the child gets older, a caring and compassionate father can easily do the job of a mother, but during infancy, nothing can replace the mother biologically as far as the care and feeding of the infant is concerned. According to many sources, mothers have more patience with young children than fathers do. Mothers and fathers often have different parenting styles, with fathers acting as disciplinarians more often than not. This is an important role, to be sure, but during young childhood, a mother who cares and nurtures her child cannot be overstated. Another problem with fathers acting as the primary custodial figure in parental rights disputes is listed by Updegraff (2007): But how accurate are fathers' perceptions of their children's problem behaviors? Are fathers' perceptions and behaviors with their children also affected by personal adjustment problems? Very little research has been conducted with the fathers of conduct-problem children Their research indicated that fathers' ratings were not correlated with teachers' ratings of the children's externalizing behaviors, whereas mothers' ratings were significantly correlated with teachers' ratings (Updegraff, 2007). Mothers and fathers interpret their children’s behavior differently; mothers seem to be more in tune with their children’s behavior for the most part, particularly when the behavior is deviant and when they are young children. Mothers are better than fathers because mothers are also groomed from a young age to know how to look after children. Not all women know how to look after children, of course, but society does put more emphasis on learning how to take care of children for women than for men. For instance, when was the last time a sitcom made fun of a mother for not knowing how to change a diaper or make a bottle? It is always women who are expected to know how to care for children. Mothers are often more patient than men when it comes to children as well. This may be because they are biologically inclined to be more patient, but it may also be because they are taught to deal with children from a younger age than men. Men who grow up with young siblings can often have very good patience with young children. However, even though some of the characteristics that mothers have can be learned or acquired by men who are interested in being single fathers, there are some biological functions that women can perform that men simply cannot. For an infant, for instance, a man cannot ever learn to breastfeed; it is up to the mother to provide this vital service to her new infant or young child. Society is also more willing to help women who are raising children on their own, because sometimes circumstances happen where the father is no longer in the picture. During this time, single fathers are much less likely than single mothers to receive help from society as a whole. Overall, it is difficult to say whether mothers or fathers are better as parents, because it is a very individualized judgement call. However, when it comes to choosing a mother or a father for the custodial parent, the mother should be chosen when she is a fit parent who has no major social or emotional problems in her life. Mothers are not always superior to fathers, but for the most part, a mother will be more successful raising a child on her own than a father will be.

Martin, A. et al. (2007). The Joint Influence of Mother and Father Parenting on Child Cognitive Outcomes at Age 5. National Center for Children and Families . Schaffer, C. et al. (2005). Predictors of Child Abuse Potential Among Military Parents: Comparing Mothers and Fathers. Journal of Family Violence, 20 (2). Unknown. (1986). Mothers' and Fathers' Perceptions of Child Deviance: Roles of Parent and Child Behaviors and Parent Adjustment. Journal of ConsuIting and Clinical Psychology, 56 (6). Updegraff, K. (2001). Parents' Involvement in Adolescents' Peer Relationships: A Comparison of Mothers' and Fathers' Roles. Journal of Marriage and Family, 10 (1). Veneziano, R. (2004). Parental Roles. Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender – Men and Women in the World’s Cultures: SpringerReference .

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Essay on Fathers Are Better Than Mothers

Students are often asked to write an essay on Fathers Are Better Than Mothers in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Fathers Are Better Than Mothers

Strength and protection.

Fathers are often seen as strong. They work hard to keep their family safe. Many children feel secure when their dad is around. Fathers can be like superheroes who protect their family from danger.

Teaching Life Skills

Dads are great at teaching skills like fixing a bike or playing sports. They show their kids how to be brave and tackle problems. Fathers can be good at helping children learn to be independent.

Fun and Adventure

Fathers can be very fun. They might play games, tell jokes, or take their kids on exciting trips. With dads, life can be an adventure full of laughter and new experiences.

Emotional Support

Some people think fathers are not as good at giving hugs or understanding feelings. But many dads are great at listening and helping their kids when they are sad or worried. Fathers can give excellent advice and make their children feel loved.

250 Words Essay on Fathers Are Better Than Mothers

Strength of fathers, courage and protection.

Fathers are often thought of as protectors. They check for monsters under the bed or scare away the stray dogs. Their courage in these situations can make children feel safe and could be why some believe fathers are better.

It is also said that fathers are more fun. They play sports, go on hikes, and sometimes let children stay up late. These fun times can create exciting memories, making fathers seem like the better parent to some kids.

Fathers teach life skills like how to ride a bike or how to fish. They show children how to be brave and to try new things. When a child learns something new from their dad, it can make fathers look better in their eyes.

In conclusion, some might think fathers are better because of their strength, protection, fun nature, and the life skills they teach. But it’s important to remember that both fathers and mothers are special in their own ways. They both love their children and want the best for them. It’s not about who is better; it’s about the unique things each parent brings to a child’s life.

500 Words Essay on Fathers Are Better Than Mothers

Fathers are strong leaders.

When people think about families, they often picture mothers as the ones who take care of children and fathers as the ones who make money. But fathers can be just as good, or sometimes even better, at taking care of kids as mothers. One reason is that fathers are often seen as strong leaders. They make tough decisions and solve problems in smart ways. Kids can learn how to be brave and make good choices by watching their dads.

Fathers Teach Different Skills

Fathers protect their families.

Many people think of fathers as the protectors of the family. They work hard to make sure their children are safe and have everything they need. Fathers might teach their kids how to be safe when they are outside or how to stand up for themselves. This can make children feel secure and know that their dad will always be there to protect them.

Fathers Set an Example

Fathers are role models for their children. Boys often look up to their dads and want to be like them when they grow up. Girls also learn from their fathers what to expect from men in their lives. If a father is kind, hardworking, and honest, his children will want to be that way too. This can have a big impact on how children act and the kind of people they become.

Fathers Provide for the Family

Fathers show love differently.

Mothers often show love by hugging, kissing, and saying nice things to their children. Fathers might show love in different ways. They might play games, teach their kids new skills, or work hard to provide for the family. Even though it’s different from how mothers show love, it is just as important. Children need to feel loved by both their parents.

In conclusion, fathers have a special role in families. They are leaders, teachers, protectors, role models, and providers. They show love in their own way and teach their children important life skills. Even though mothers are wonderful and do so much for their kids, fathers can be just as good at taking care of their children. It’s important to remember that every family is different, and both mothers and fathers are important in their own ways.

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Are Women Better Parents Than Men? Essay

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“A Mother is Better than a Father” – Gender Inequality in Parenting

Reasons why mothers are better parents than fathers, impact on child’s emotional state, communication shouldn’t be neglected, do women make better parents than men, works cited.

Traditionally, the role of raising children was the mothers’. Therefore, it is often considered that women are better parents than men. However, today, circumstances have changed, and both the father and mother are responsible for bringing up the children. There is a stronger bond between a mother and child from birth. The relationship that a mother forms with the child during pregnancy is evident even after the child is born. Mothers will do everything to make sure their children are alright. This is unlike the fathers who always act aloof. This is an argumentative essay that aims to prove that mothers are better parents than fathers.

Mostly, fathers appear to have a weak bond with the children. Fathers are detached from their children and can quickly desert them, while women can not. One of the reasons why fathers seem less committed to their children is because most fathers are not sure about the paternity of the child. For mothers, there can never be such doubts. However, the father cannot be sure that the child is his, and this is the gender difference. Therefore, he is reluctant to support and spend his resources on a child that could be another man’s (Kazanawa par 4).

Another reason for the lack of a strong bond between a father and the children is because men have a more significant potential to have more children than women. The men can get children throughout their lives while this is not possible for women after menopause.

Therefore, the men are not so attached to their children because even if they lose them, they can always have some more. That is why the majority of men can abandon their wives and children and move on to start another family. (Kazanawa par 7). Fathers may be considered biologically inferior parents. This discussion aims to prove that women are better at parenting than men.

Many communities assign the role of caring for children to the mother while the father is expected to provide for the family and instill discipline in children.

The father is thus distanced from the children because they fear him as they view him as a disciplinarian. Today, there are no distinct roles expected of either the father or mother. In most homes, both the father and mother share the responsibility of providing for the family.

There are also many homes with one parent because of divorce or the death of one parent. The role of upbringing their children should be shared between the mother and the father since both of them go to work. However, fathers do not participate much in raising their children.

Mothers spend more time with their children and, therefore, the children form a better connection with them. A hormone called oxytocin enables the mother to bond better with the child than the father. It allows the child to feel secure as long as he/she is with the mother. When the mother leaves, the child gets upset and cries but is happy again when she returns.

This is the reaction of the hormone. It makes the child know that the mother will always be there and will never let him/ her down (Kuchinskas 31). From birth, the mothers spend more time caring for the child. At this stage, the child needs a lot of attention and specialized care, and the mother is the one best suited to do that.

The father only comes in when the baby is older. Therefore, women are better parents than men. Opponents of this position may argue that fathers are better at parenting since they provide financial support. However, active involvement in a child’s life is the most important kind of support in family for children when they are growing up because it shapes their psychological development. Therefore, there should be no differences between female and male parenting.

Both parents need to be aggressively involved in the nurturing of the child. In any case, even mothers are in employment, and both parents share the responsibility of providing for the family. Therefore, men cannot excuse themselves from the role of nurturing the child based on providing financial support as their role is of great importance.

Mothers are more emotional than men. They are more sympathetic and understanding of their children whenever they are in trouble (Weiten, Dunn and Hammer 344). A mother may even defend her children when their father is angry and wants to punish them. Children, therefore, see the mother as a source of comfort and protection and will seek help from her whenever they need something.

They will invariably run to her when they experience problems. The father is less emotional and less likely to sympathize with the children. Therefore, they will not feel free to share their issues with him. The children tend to love the mother more than the father. One might object here that being very emotional and soft on the children might spoil them and make them unprepared for life’s challenges.

One might argue that men are not overprotective and are rough with the children, and therefore, they teach them to be courageous and go-getters in life. They believe that softly treating the children will make them cowards and reluctant to deal with tough situations in the future.

However, the way men treat children may have a detrimental effect on them. This is because treating children harshly and aggressively may affect them emotionally, and this may impact on their future lives as adults. Research reveals that children’s upbringing affects how they relate with others in the future, how they perform in school, and the way they handle challenges. Children who experience violent treatment are impoverished at socializing with others (Attili, Vermigli and Roazzi 24).

Women have better rearing skills than men because that is what they grow up practicing. The parents assign their daughters the roles that involve caring and nurturing. Therefore, by the time they become adults, they have perfected these skills. As they grow up, girls will engage in motherly activities like caring for their dolls or younger siblings.

Boys, on the other hand, are not concerned with such roles. They are interested in rough games and machines, and these do not prepare them to nurture their children. As a result, they grow up without a clue about how to raise their children.

Furthermore, women tend to be gentler than men. They treat the children well while the men are rough and sometimes violent (Weiten, Dunn and Hammer 343). Raising children is a task that requires a lot of patience, gentleness, and tenderness. Women can withstand irritating situations like the constant crying and nagging of a baby. As such, many people believe that women make better parents than men.

Men do not possess such traits and will quickly get angry and impatient with the child. They might even be tempted to yell or hit the children. A child at this stage requires to be taken care of by someone with the right qualities.

Communication aspect should also be reviewed to answer the question “Are women better parents than men?” Women also have better communication skills than men (Weiten, Dunn and Hammer 344). As they grow up, children need to be listened to and understood. They also need to be advised and reproached. Women can achieve this through proper communication with the children.

Lack of communication between the children and the parents can lead to children looking for answers from other sources, like the peers and the media, which can be misleading (Kanazawa 2008). Mothers will, therefore, be seen as better parents because the children will always prefer to share their problems and concerns with them than with their fathers. Men are less expressive than women and this is another point why mothers are better parents.

Another reason why women are better parents is that they are more conscious and conscientious to the needs of their children than men. When babies cry, the mothers’ maternal instincts will enable them to know what they need. It is not easy for a father to understand what a crying baby needs.

A young baby needs to be understood and attended to accordingly. This makes the women better parents than the men (Frodi, Lamb, Leavitt and Donovan 190). Critics of this position may argue that fathers are good parents because they will be involved in caring for their children later when they grow older and no longer need so much attention. However, the father needs to be actively engaged in raising the child from birth because his involvement is most critical when the child is young.

Women are more sympathetic and softhearted than men (Costello par 6). Sometimes children go through experiences that require the parents to be compassionate and comforting to them. Mothers are perfect at this, while fathers are not willing to show emotion as it might be seen as a sign of weakness.

Fathers want to be perceived by their children as severe and in control. Most of them will always admonish their children. This alienates many fathers from their children as they will always choose to share their concerns with the mother. Of course, the father needs to appear tough so that the children can be well-disciplined, but overdoing it might scare them and negatively affect their relationship.

From the above discussion, it is clear that women play a more significant role than men in bringing up children. There are several reasons why mothers are more important than fathers in the family. They provide the right environment for the healthy upbringing of a child. They do this by actively participating in nurturing the child since birth. Carrying a child through pregnancy establishes a powerful bond between the mother and the child.

Mothers also provide comfort and sympathy, which is critical in a child’s psychological development. Moreover, women are sensitive and understanding of the needs of the children more than men. On top of that, women are excellent communicators and will always lend an ear to their children’s concerns.

They are also more sympathetic and less aggressive towards the children than the men. Above all, women have maternal instincts, which always make them look out for their children’s safety. These qualities make most of the children to be more attached to their mothers than their fathers. Therefore, women are better parents than men.

Attili, Grazia, Patrizia Vermigli, and Antonio Roazzi. Children’s Social Competence, Peer Status, and the Quality of Mother-Child and Father-Child Relationships: A Multidimensional Scaling Approach. European Psychologist 15.1 (2010): 23-33. Web.

Costello, Victoria. Daddy and Baby: The Science of New Fatherhood. 2011. Web.

Frodi, Ann, Michael Lamb, Lewis Leavitt, and Donovan Wilberta. Fathers’ and mothers’ responses to infant smiles and cries. Infant Behavior and Development 1 (1978): 187-198.

Kanazawa, Satoshi. Why are mothers better parents than fathers? . 2008. Web.

Kuchinskas, Susan. The Chemistry of Connection: How the Oxytocin Response Can Help You Find Trust, Intimacy, and Love. USA: New Harbinger Publications, 2009.

Weiten, Wayne, Dunn, Dana S., and Elizabeth Hammer Yost. Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st Century. USA: Cengage Learning, 2011. Web.

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Fathers are happier parents than mothers, new study shows

A UC Riverside study shows fathers experience more well-being from parenthood than mothers; research ascribe the difference to relative gender roles

A study of 18,000 people shows that fathers experience more well-being from parenthood than mothers. 

Past studies have considered whether people with children have greater well-being than people without children. They do. But few have considered the relative happiness of fathers and mothers.

UCR psychologists and their colleagues analyzed three separate studies totaling more than 18,000 people to determine whether fathers or mothers experience greater happiness from their parenting roles.

Across the three studies, researchers looked at measures of well-being that included happiness, well-being, depressive symptoms, psychological satisfaction, and stress.

The first two studies compared well-being of parents with that of people who don’t have children.  Across all outcomes measured in the first studies, fatherhood was more frequently linked with greater well-being than motherhood. Relative to peers without children, fathers reported greater satisfaction with their lives and feelings of connectedness to others, and they reported greater positive emotions and fewer daily hassles than mothers. They also reported fewer depressive symptoms than men without children; whereas mothers reported more depressive symptoms than women who don’t have children.

The third study considered parenthood and well-being while engaged in childcare or interacting with children, compared to other daily activities.

Gender significantly impacted the association between childcare and happiness. Men were happier while caring for their children, while women were less happy.

In terms of daily interactions generally, both men and women were happier interacting with their children relative to other daily interactions. But men reported greater happiness from the interactions than women. One possible explanation for this finding is that, relative to mothers, fathers were more likely to indicate that they were playing with their children while they were caring for them or interacting with them.

“Fathers may fare better than mothers in part due to how they spend their time with their children,” said study author Katherine Nelson-Coffey, who worked in UCR psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky’s lab as a graduate student and is now an assistant professor of psychology at Sewanee: The University of the South.

Lyubomirsky said the study carries a suggestion: perhaps all parents will benefit from finding more opportunity for play with their children.

The research paper, “Parenthood is Associated with Greater Well-Being for Fathers than Mothers,” was recently published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. In addition to Lyubomirsky and Nelson-Coffey, authors include Kristin Layous, a former UCR graduate student and currently an assistant professor of psychology at California State University; Matthew Killingsworth, a senior fellow with Wharton People Analytics; and Steve Cole, a professor of medicine and psychiatry at UCLA.  

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Sorry, Harvard, fathers still matter — including Black fathers

Black children from two-parent homes do better than children from single-parent homes when it comes to prison, poverty and graduating college..

The culture wars over family structure that raged in the 20th century — wars over single parenthood, marriage, and the importance of fathers — seemed to have ended in the early 21st century. From academia to the policy world, most sensible people acknowledged the importance of strong and stable families for kids. Hailing from the Ivory Tower in 2015, scholars from Brookings and Princeton reported on the new scientific consensus: “most scholars now agree that children raised by two biological parents in a stable marriage do better than children in other family forms across a wide range of outcomes.” 

In the public square, the consensus view about the importance of fathers was best articulated by Barack Obama, in speeches at churches and colleges across the country. He underlined the value of fathers for kids and his own dedication to breaking the cycle of fatherlessness he experienced as a boy. “And so my whole life, I’ve tried to be for Michelle and my girls what my father was not for my mother and me,” he told the graduates of Morehouse College in 2013. “I want to break that cycle where a father is not at home — where a father is not helping to raise that son or daughter. I want to be a better father, a better husband, a better man.” No one could doubt that President Obama understood how much fathers mattered for their kids. 

The 'Myth' of the Two-Parent Home 

But now, progressives are calling into question even the kids-benefit-from-fathers argument Obama made so powerfully and poignantly. This month, for instance, The Harvard Gazette ran an article entitled, “Why living in a two-parent home isn’t a cure-all for Black students.” Written by Harvard sociologist Christina Cross, it spotlights her research showing that poor Black kids with two parents do not do better on a few educational outcomes compared to their peers with single parents.  

Cross’ article echoed themes from an earlier article , “The Myth of the Two-Parent Home,” that she published in The New York Times that claimed “living apart from a biological parent does not carry the same cost for black youths as for their white peers.” 

This Harvard research is part and parcel of a larger effort to call into question the idea that married, two-parent families matter not just for Black children but, indeed, all children. In an Atlantic article celebrating family diversity, the sociologist Pamela Braboy Jackson said, “All of our research points to the fact that it’s the quality of the relationship that matters, and the handling of communication and conflict, and the number of people in the household is not really the key” for the welfare of our kids.

There’s only one problem with this revisionist effort that relies on cherry picking a few findings to fit its narrative: it obscures the full truth from the sciences about the importance of two-parent families for kids. 

Beth Akers: To all parents: Don’t break the bank to send your kids to their dream school

A new report from the Institute for Family Studies co-authored by us with sociologist Wendy Wang finds large differences between Black kids raised by their own two parents, compared to their peers raised by single parents (primarily single mothers). Black children raised by single parents are three times more likely to be poor, compared to Black children raised by their own married parents. Black boys are almost half as likely to end up incarcerated (14% for intact; 23% for single parent) and twice as likely to go on and graduate from college (21% for intact; 12% for single parent) if they are raised in a home with their two parents,   compared to boys raised by just one parent. Parallel patterns obtain for girls. Equally striking, we also find that Black children from stable two-parent homes do better than white children from single-parent homes when it comes to their risk of poverty or prison, and their odds of graduating from college. Young white men from single-parent families, for instance, are more likely to end up in prison than young Black men from intact, two-parent homes. 

Ironically, the work of another scholar just across the Harvard campus from Cross, Raj Chetty, also refutes the idea that B lack fathers don’t matter . Chetty and his colleagues set out to determine the most powerful neighborhood factors behind the gap in economic mobility for poor Black and white boys. The biggest factor? The “fraction of low-income Black fathers present” in a neighborhood. In other words, poor black boys in neighborhoods with lots of Black fathers were significantly more likely to realize the American Dream. 

The value of stable families; fathers 

Research like this has kept some influential thinkers and journalists on the left defending the scientific consensus about marriage, fatherhood, and family. “I think that my half of the political spectrum — the left half — too often dismisses the importance of family structure,” noted New York Times columnist David Leonhardt, responding to another of Chetty’s studies. “Partly out of a worthy desire to celebrate the heroism of single parents, progressives too often downplay family structure. Social science is usually messy, with correlation and causation difficult to separate. But the evidence, when viewed objectively, points strongly to the value of two-parent households.”

Jason Sattler: What a new dad learned in COVID lockdown about politics, responsibility and 'women's work'

So the next time you come across a study from Harvard or some other ivory tower academic trying to cast shade on the idea that fathers matter for kids, you’d be better off just reprising the wisdom articulated by our 44th president on this matter for Father’s Day in 2008, which is as relevant for Father’s Day in 2021: 

 “Of all the rocks upon which we build our lives, we are reminded today that family is the most important… We know the statistics — that children who grow up without a father are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime… They are more likely to have behavioral problems, or run away from home, or become teenage parents themselves. And the foundations of our community are weaker because of it.” 

Ian Rowe is the founder and CEO of Vertex Partnership Academies. Brad Wilcox, a sociologist at the University of Virginia, is a senior fellow of the Institute for Family Studies and a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Follow them on Twitter:  @bradwilcoxIFS  and  @IanVRowe

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page , on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter . To respond to a column, submit a comment to [email protected].

Father Or Mother, Who Is More Important In The Family? See Answer

• Post author: Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC
• Post published: June 19, 2024
• Post category: Scholarly Articles

Father or Mother, who is more important? The debate regarding the importance of fathers and mothers in the family or society is one that can not be settled by taking a particular stand. Even till today, many people argue that mother/father is generally more important than the other, but a critical look at their arguments will show that their assertion is based on personal experiences.

Nevertheless, in this article, I will take my time to explain this debate topic. I will also make a final conclusion regarding the topic, father or mother, who is more important in the family. I highly recommend that you pay attention to the words used in this article so that you will be able to grasp everything contained here. Now here we go!

Imagine that both your Mom and Dad are in near-death situations, who will you save first? Say your Mom is drowning and at the same time your dad is about to fall off a cliff. What will guide your choice of who to rescue?

One might pick the Mom over the Dad and vice versa but that only depends on the circumstances and peculiarities surrounding each case scenario. You’ll agree with me that parents are an indispensable part of any individuals life and contribute imersely to an individual’s overall personality, perception and to a large extent decisions in life.

However,there are people who grew up having just one parent in their life example, a single Mom or Dad was all they ever got to know and live with. Where as, another percentage (most time referred to as orphans) had only guardians and others just themselves to look out for them. This is sad but a reality. Nonetheless, our focus is on parents, the roles they play , who is most preferred, more important and the reason(s) for this/these prefence.

Table of Contents

Who Are Your Parents?

The term parent, in this article, encompasses other sub terms i.e, mother and father. A parent is one who cares for, protects and nourishes a child. The health, safety and total  well being of the child is the responsibility of the former.

The society in fact expects parents to raise their children to become better adults and good citizens instigating positive changes in their present environment which hopefully would extend  beyond their present dispensation for the purpose of making the world a better place.

Recommended: See why boarding school is better than day schools

Four (4) Important Roles of Fathers and Mothers in the Family

1.They provide food, shelter and clothing: This is true for both fathers and mothers. In an African setting, it is typical for one to assert that it is the duty of the father to provide money for food and clothing whereas the mother is expected to prepare the meal or buy the clothes.

The man again is seen as the figure that is saddled with the duty of providing a roof over the heads of his family. But this is not true in other parts of the world and even in Africa there are exceptions to this notion.

2. Education and vocational training: One may safely postulate that education is the most common (and in most instances) the only legacy that parents bequeath their children.

Parents (even those not educated) strive to ensure that their children get a very good education and for whatever it’s worth they strive to ensure that in the absence of the former, the child should at least learn a trade or skill. The goal generally is to secure a good and indeed bright future , a level of independence at the long run for the child with a mindset that when they’re frail and old that such child can take proper care of them (i.e, reciprocate their kindness).

3. Guidance and counseling: Parents are the first contact a child makes with the society and world at large. The society automatically expects that the parents should teach the children behaviors that are acceptable in the society and by extention how to relate properly with everyone; elders, age mates, younger ones, same and opposite sex alike and parents in turn are fully aware and carryout this duty to the best of their ability.

Parents also help their children make certain important decisions in life, example they help the child discover their interest/passion and improve it, they guide them in making career choices e.t.c.

4. They provide love and security: Parents nurture their children with love and ensure their safety both within and outside their home for example they try to know and provide what their children like,  where they are, whom they’re with, what they’re doing, whether or not it is safe for them and so on.

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Why People Prefer Their Mothers to Fathers

A local research shows that 8% of every 10% of children would easily pick their Mom over their Dad, the reason for this is quite simple, mothers have a way of living in the moment with their kids hence becoming a part of their day to day activities and lives in general.

This is in apposition to fathers who are so engrossed in their daily struggles and desire to make ends meet as the expense of a beautiful relationship with their children. The children in response to this perpetual absence cultivate and indeed become acquainted with an insane level of distance from their fathers all be it unintentionally (by default).

However, it is pertinent to state that the opposite might infact be the position in scenerios covered by the remaining 2%. Suffice to say that, this is not an attempt to render the roles or importance of fathers inexistent or negligible.

Also see: Salary of Doctors in Nigeria 2024

Mother or Father, Who Is More Important In The Family?

Fathers and Mothers are equally important in the family. There’s no gain saying that the role of former preceeds or overrides the latter. Nonetheless, both of them are of essence in every individual’s life and the absence of one whether or not expressly stated by the child in question actually has an effect on the child on the long run, perhaps not financially but emotionally.

The child always feels that there’s something missing and of course such child is right. Again, in the case of orphans this assertion is more clearly potrayed as they’re often conscious of the absence of their parents and this absence to a large extent has a negative effect on their overall life ,behavior and sadly defines/ limits in most cases their level of success and achievement in life.

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Parents generally are equally important in every individual’s life though they might contribute in different ways to the well being and development of a child. Individual contribution is nonetheless desirable and essential and should not be neglected. Ask single parents who double both functions and they would confess to you that a little (or maybe tiny) but of them actually crave help from their partners in raising their kids.

Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka, ACMC, is a lawyer and a certified mediator/conciliator in Nigeria. He is also a developer with knowledge in various programming languages. Samuel is determined to leverage his skills in technology, SEO, and legal practice to revolutionize the legal profession worldwide by creating web and mobile applications that simplify legal research. Sam is also passionate about educating and providing valuable information to people.

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February 1, 2019

Fathers are happier parents than mothers, new study shows

by J.d. Warren, University of California

A study of 18,000 people shows that fathers experience more well-being from parenthood than mothers.

Past studies have considered whether people with children have greater well-being than people without children. They do. But few have considered the relative happiness of fathers and mothers.

UC Riverside psychologists and their colleagues analyzed three separate studies totaling more than 18,000 people to determine whether fathers or mothers experience greater happiness from their parenting roles.

Across the three studies, researchers looked at measures of well-being that included happiness, well-being, depressive symptoms , psychological satisfaction, and stress.

The first two studies compared well-being of parents with that of people who don't have children.

Across all outcomes measured in the first studies, fatherhood was more frequently linked with greater well-being than motherhood. Relative to peers without children, fathers reported greater satisfaction with their lives and feelings of connectedness to others, and they reported greater positive emotions and fewer daily hassles than mothers. They also reported fewer depressive symptoms than men without children; whereas mothers reported more depressive symptoms than women who don't have children.

The third study considered parenthood and well-being while engaged in childcare or interacting with children, compared to other daily activities.

Gender significantly impacted the association between childcare and happiness. Men were happier while caring for their children, while women were less happy.

In terms of daily interactions generally, both men and women were happier interacting with their children relative to other daily interactions. But men reported greater happiness from the interactions than women. One possible explanation for this finding is that, relative to mothers, fathers were more likely to indicate that they were playing with their children while they were caring for them or interacting with them.

"Fathers may fare better than mothers in part due to how they spend their time with their children," said study author Katherine Nelson-Coffey, who worked in UC Riverside psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky's lab as a graduate student and is now an assistant professor of psychology at Sewanee: The University of the South.

Lyubomirsky said the study carries a suggestion: perhaps all parents will benefit from finding more opportunity for play with their children.

The research paper, "Parenthood is Associated with Greater Well-Being for Fathers than Mothers," was recently published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin .

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Why are mothers better parents than fathers? Part III

Is tommy smothers right do parents play favorites.

Posted June 19, 2008

Are mothers always good parents?

In the last two posts ( Part I , Part II ), I explain why mothers are on average more committed and hence better parents to their children than fathers. However, this does not mean that mothers are always better parents; there are exception. Even then, however, evolutionary psychology can shed light on the exception which proves the rule.

None of what I have discussed in the previous two posts mean that all mothers are always good parents or better parents than fathers. Sometimes mothers neglect or even kill their babies. However, evolutionary psychological logic can even explain who is more likely to kill their babies, and why.

Statistics show that very young mothers, by far, are the most likely to kill their babies, and older mothers are the second most likely to do so, but for different reasons. Very young, teenage mothers kill their babies because they still have most of their reproductive lives ahead of them, and they can make more babies in the future even if they kill the one they just had. Having a baby under unfortunate circumstances (such as without a father willing to invest in it) not only threatens the well-being of the baby but also jeopardizes the mother’s chance of finding a mate in the future. And teenage mothers are more likely than others to have their baby under unfortunate circumstances.

Older mothers (above the age of 35) kill their babies for a different reason. They are more likely to have defective babies because of their age. Every child (defective or otherwise) consumes parents’ resources. Since defective children are much less likely to attain reproductive success, from a purely genetic point of view, any resources invested in children who will not have children themselves are wasted. Such children are taking away valuable resources from other children who have better reproductive prospects. Older mothers are more likely than younger mothers to have other children they must also raise. So parents are designed not to invest in defective children.

By the same token, parents invest more in better-looking children than in less good-looking children, and in more intelligent children than in less intelligent children. Without necessarily knowing it consciously, parents do favor some children over others, and the extent to which they favor some children is strongly correlated with their likely future reproductive success. They usually favor children who have better future reproductive prospect over children who have gloomier future reproductive prospect. In other words, Tommy Smothers is right. Mom did always like Dick best. (Pardon the grammatical error.) According to the Smothers Brothers official biography , Tommy has had three children; Dick has had six.

Yes, the evolutionary logic is very brutal, cold, and heartless. It only cares about the survival of the genes .

Satoshi Kanazawa is an evolutionary psychologist at LSE and the coauthor (with the late Alan S. Miller) of Why Beautiful People Have More Daughters .

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IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.

Ielts writing task 2 sample 3 - women make better parents than men and that is why they have the greater role in raising children, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, many people believe that women make better parents than men and that is why they have the greater role in raising children in most societies. others claim that men are just as good as women at parenting., idea generation for this ielts essay:.

• Mothers have a closer sensational relationship to their offspring than fathers because of a better bonding between them and their children.
• Women usually spend more time with their children than men because, in many countries, they are usually less engaged in working.
• Genetically women can be socially active and communicate better with their surrounding than the men can.
• As a role of mother, mothers can transfer their experience to their daughters to become perfect mothers in the future.
• A child spends most of the times, it's childhood with the mother and thus mothers have a better understanding of their offspring.
• Genetically mothers have better quality in taking care of their children.
• Men have been more responsible to their family financially, so they can transfer their experience to their children far better than the women can.
• Males’ hormones help better them to be more flexible to difficult situations happening in their real life, and they can transfer their experience to their boys.
• Fathers are usually more serious in punishing of their children than mothers, so they can control better their children to avoid crime.
• In many societies, fathers have better educational qualifications and diverse experience. That’s why they can better prepare their children for the future. 
• A father makes future of the child financially secure.
• Men's contribution to a child's development is found to be more effective when it comes to imbibing discipline.
• A kid needs the affection and caring of both father and mother.
• While mothers take care of their children, fathers work outside to bring the money home.
• They both have qualities that should be learned by their kids.
• In many families, both parents work outside and that's why the responsibilities of upbringing children should be equally shared.
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Mother vs Father – Differences Explained in Detail!

Whether we like it or not, moms and dads are seen in a different light by their children. Our intentions to raise healthy, balanced kids may be the same but the roles of the mother vs father are distinctly different. And, each role is as valuable as the other when performed with love and care.

• Main Differences Between a Mother and a Father

Children perceive the roles of their parents quite differently from each other. Mothers are seen as loving and nurturing parents while the father is often referred to as the authority figure. Children often find their mothers more approachable than fathers.

Definitions of Mother and Father According to Dictionaries

Famous mother vs father quotes, debate on mother vs father, protectiveness, independence, chosen parenting styles , love (and showing it), who is more important: mother or father, who are better parents: mothers or fathers, venn diagram: comparing and contrasting your mother and father, conclusions.

The definitions of mother and father from the online Merriam-Webster dictionary highlight some differences between both parents. The dictionary’s definition of a mother includes the following:

• A female parent
• Maternal tenderness or affection
• Relating to or being a mother 
• Acting as or providing parental stock – used without reference to sex
• To give birth to
• To care for or protect like a mother

The same dictionary uses the following definition for a father:

• A male parent
• A man who has begotten a child
• One related to another in a way suggesting that of father to child
• To accept responsibility for
• To fix the paternity or origin of
• To care for or look after someone as a father might

An obvious difference is gender-related with the mother being female and the father being male. The mother is also the parent responsible for giving birth to a child while the father sires children. Fortunately, nowadays, modern fathers can be the dad cutting that special umbilical cord , letting them be more involved in the birth of their child. 

Getting the perspective of how other people, both famous and not so famous, view their mom and dad roles also shows whether they’re seen as being different or not. 

“My mom and dad gave their kids the greatest gift of all – the gift of unconditional love. They cared deeply about who we would be, and much less about what we would do.” Mitt Romney (American politician and businessman)

Clearly, Mitt Romney’s parents were able to show how much they cared through unconditional love and this role was not solely designated to either mom or dad. 

“My mother protected me from the world and my father threatened me with it.” Quentin Crisp (English writer, raconteur, and actor)

I can’t pretend to know what Quentin Crisp was intending to say here but I guess it’s safe to say his mother was playing the “typical” role of mother by nurturing and protecting him. And, his father took his responsibility seriously by ensuring his son was equipped to deal with living in the real world!

“My mom is a very warm, typical-sort of Jewish mother type. And my dad has a somewhat, um, different personality.” Peter Orszag (CEO of Financial Advisory at Lazard Freres & Co LLC)

Once again, the mother comes through as a warm figure while Peter Orszag’s father, a professor for applied mathematics, is somewhat different. 

“All fathers are invisible in daytime; daytime is ruled by mothers and fathers come out at night. Darkness brings home fathers, with their real, unspeakable power. There is more to fathers than meets the eye.” Margaret Atwood (Canadian writer)

I think most children will agree with Margaret Atwood when defining the different roles and characteristics of a mother and father based on their presence during day or night time. 

Go to any gathering with friends or relatives who are parents themselves and it’s inevitable someone will start a debate around the various roles of mothers and fathers. These debates often highlight how parents view their different roles as mothers or fathers. 

• Level of contribution: The mother contributes more than the father to the family with her sacrificing more to ensure her children and husband are happy, well-fed, and keeping the house clean. 
• Emotional support: The mother is often the one a child will turn to for emotional support. 
• Financial security: Fathers are often seen as the main breadwinner ensuring their family is financially secure at all times. 
• Defender and protector: The father is seen as a pillar of strength, defending and protecting his family, He’s also seen as the person whom the family can lean on when life seems challenging. 
• Unified team: When both the mother and father work together in unity, they’re both seen as being valuable members of a unified team raising and supporting their children. 

This video which debates splitting the mother/father role 50/50, highlights how moms feel they have a list of never-ending tasks which is not often shared by fathers. But, the dads argue they play an equally vital role in raising their kids. 

It’s essential to note that each family is unique. This means the role of mother vs father differs depending on the particular circumstances facing a family. You could also talk about the debate on whether dad and mom roles are vastly different from those of the mother and father. Read my article discussing the father vs dad roles to decide for yourself.

Qualities of a Mother vs a Father

While both mothers and fathers are naturally protective towards their children, the mother tends to worry more about their kids. Mothers are overprotective while fathers will encourage their children to play more roughly or be more adventurous in the playground.  Dads can be also overprotective of their daughter , as I wrote about it in a separate article.

A father is more likely to encourage their child to be more independent while a mother will want to do things for their children. Hands-on dads also teach their children to be more responsible such as by earning money through doing chores. 

If both the mother and father agree to share the role of parenting 50/50, the tasks of raising their kids are equally shared. Parents can also choose the typical “mom at home/dad at work” parenting style and make it work by ensuring both are involved at different times. 

The stigma that stay-at-home dads might be losers often stops the father from having a fulfilling role by choosing to stay behind while the mom goes to work. But, in my own personal experience, I can vouch this parenting style works well when both parents get on board.

Dads win hands down for being the joker of the family. They’re also more inclined to get involved in playing games with the kids. The mother often feels bogged down by keeping the house in good running order which often means she can’t relax and enjoy fun time with her kids. 

Most mothers show unconditional love towards their baby even before it’s born. The bond between the child and mom is close because she’s carried her baby for nine months in her womb. Mothers are able to express their love more openly whereas fathers may struggle in this arena. 

If each parent sees they can play a vital role in bringing up their children, even if they involve different tasks, then they’re equally valuable. When both parents are engaged in the well-being of their children, they’re both vitally important. 

Researchers, through various studies, clearly state that parental involvement at home shows significant improvement in the child’s learning abilities and academic achievements at school. This is simply one example of how a unified team between moms and dads can positively impact a child’s upbringing. 

Mothers have an innate natural instinct and wisdom when it comes to offering emotional support while nurturing their children. While various qualities of a good mother make them a better parent, it shouldn’t negate the vital role of good dads.  

Some online debate forums show that 51% of the participants believe moms are the better parent. This means 49% believe fathers also make better parents. A very close tie indeed! What do you think about it? Leave a comment below!

If you want to compare and contrast the qualities of your own mother and father, create your own Venn diagram . This method will clearly demonstrate the relationship of your parents’ qualities, defining which traits they share and which ones they don’t. 

In my personal opinion, when both the mother and father take responsibility for the wellbeing of their child, their roles are vitally and equally important. Mother and father roles are different but when performed responsibly with good intentions, they both contribute to raising a healthy and happy child.

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Mother vs Father Parenting – Are Mothers Better Parents Than Fathers?

Many people believe that women make better parents than men and that this is why they have the greater role in raising children in most societies. Others claim that men are just as good as women at parenting. Write an essay expressing your point of view. Give reasons for your answer.

Are Mothers Better Parents Than Fathers – PTE Essay Updated Questions

Who has a greater role in raising children in various societies-mother or father? While moms are better at nurturing and gentle handling of children, dads are better at playing and are more laid-back than moms. But today,  moms are just as busy as dads. If dads are harsh, stressed out because of the workload at offices and cold to children, so can be moms. Dads are never given credit for their efforts and handling of stressful situations. If a mom is a stay at home mom, she is a good mom in the eyes of society, no matter how she treats her children at home. If she ‘s a working lady she’s probably a bad mommy. If dad is a househusband, he is looked upon by society and maybe by his wife too. To raise a child properly, both parents are needed. A single parent is bound to be stressed.

It was found that in 3 out of 4 cases, custody of children was given to moms, even if they show some kind of dysfunctional behavior. The question here is not who is a better parent but who knows the best interests of the child, puts him/her as his/her first priority. The best parent is the one who is emotionally and physically present for the child, who is there in most stressful times for the child, who knows what kind of individual his/her child is, what he /she likes and dislikes, who knows how to make the child smile no matter what is going on in his/her own life, who keeps the  child away from drug abuse or unintended pregnancy,who  gets down on his/her knees to pray for the well-being of his/her child , who plays,laughs , smiles and knows his/her child for the individual he/she is,  is the best kind of parent.

The question should be what can parents do best and not who is a better parent between mom and dad. And what parents can do best is to love their children. Surely both have different ways of showering love upon their children in their own different ways. Neither mom nor dad can alone be both mom and dad to their children. That is too stressful, both for the parent and the children. Both parents are required for the upbringing of a child. Asking who is better is too unfair and unjust.

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Do fathers know best? 5 ways dads are better parents

Father’s Day is clearly an afterthought on the holiday calendar. Which is too bad, because when push comes to shove, dads are better than moms.

Tacked on at the last minute –- Mother’s Day was officially recognized in 1914, while dads didn’t get an official day until 1972 (proclaimed by Richard Nixon, of all people) -- Father’s Day is the family slacker of the phony holidays created by greeting card companies.

There are lots of pros and cons for either parent, of course, and the margin isn’t big, and there’s lots of credit to go around. And it’s not a competition. But: Let’s say it is! Dads are better. If your mind isn’t so incredibly blown that you need to take some deep breaths and sip some cool water, read on:

Dads are much more laid-back than moms. From the other side, this might look like “Moms are more responsible,” but that’s just spin. We don’t gasp every time a toddler falls, we allow a few extra minutes of TV (even the Wiggles, for crying out loud), and we’re much more eager to ditch the kid for a night out or even weekend away. I think it stems from a key difference: Pregnancy changes both parents-to-be in profound ways, but once the child is born the dad mainly reverts to his old self (for better or ill).

Exhibit A: My wife recently talked my parents into babysitting our toddler, NJ, while we attended a U2 concert. No big deal, right? Except that we live in Seattle and my parents live in Houston. “They’ll jump at the chance to see their grandchild,” she said. And they (gladly, I admit) trekked up from Texas a couple of weeks ago. But – next door to us? Two responsible teenage girls who, I’m sure, would have been delighted to get the chance to overcharge me for babysitting.

Exhibit B: My wife dresses NJ in adorable polka-dot dresses with matching tights, a jaunty hat and strappy-buckly shoes. [Eds note: I have no idea what he means by strappy-buckly shoes, either. Then again, I’m a mom. Chalk it up to the male inability to understand women’s footwear.] I dress NJ in jeans and a shirt emblazoned with the Rolling Stones lips, or a Day of the Dead skull. I mean, c’mon!

Dad is Good Cop, and everyone likes Good Cop. That’s why it says “good” right there in the name. This rule has a chicken-and-egg relationship with the one above: Good Cop allows a few minutes of extra TV time because Good Cop is more laid back. When the three of us eat dinner and NJ opens her mouth to show us her food, my wife chastises her and wonders aloud where she learned such horrid behavior. (Spoiler alert: Me. It was me.) I laugh. Because it’s funny! Also, it’s a bonding moment: My daughter will remember us showing each other our chewed food for the rest of her life, and when the day comes that she’s taking care of her feeble, senile father, we can reprise the game. We all get old, but seafood/see food doesn’t.

Dads are better at playing. This afternoon NJ pulled me outside to play. We rolled around on the lawn – she’d fall into me, I’d grab her and roll over again and again, then I’d crank up the Tickle Machine. Her laughter rang across the neighborhood like a non-obnoxious wind chime (is there is such a thing?). Dads love to roughhouse, and kids do too. My wife reads books and stacks blocks with NJ. I put her in her crib, go out into the hallway and throw stuffed animals at her. NJ loves her books, but she laughs a lot more when she’s getting nailed in the head by a teddy bear.

There’s no corresponding competitive “Mom Guilt” for dads. What’s that, you say? Little Maddisyn’s parents down the street give her nothing but organic foods and already taught her to recycle, knit and play poker? Meh. Don’t care.

It’s science , to quote the immortal Ron Burgundy . According to this 2007 study (there may be more recent surveys, but I didn’t look for them lest my thesis be wrecked), “fathers today get higher grades than mothers for their performance, especially from women.” If you read the study you’ll see that it really appears as though people just think dads’ performance hasn’t fallen as far as moms’ compared to previous generations. Nevertheless, I’ll take it!

Five sound, irrefutable reasons – and there are loads more. As I sit here typing, though, NJ started wailing upstairs; apparently she had a bad dream. I heard footsteps, then a murmur, and the bawling stopped.  I’m down here patting myself on the back, and my wife is up there soothing our child and getting her back to sleep. Oh well – dads are better than moms. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Happy Father’s Day!

Bob Trott blogs about his adventures in parenting at Dad Solo .

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