The IRREPLACEABLE role of Fathers in nurturing children and the impact of Parental Alienation Syndrome

Fatherhood is a precious role that shapes the lives of children in profound ways. Unfortunately, when a matrimonial dispute occurs between the husband and wife, it is very common for the wife to take away the child from her husband and raise the child on its own. The logic behind this act is that when the child is small, the first priority of the child is to survive and traditionally, the role of mothers have been to give birth to a child and ensure the survival of the child, whereas, the father is supposed to be protector and provider. Therefore, some sections of the society are of the opinion that a father plays little or no role in survival of the child at early age, apart from providing education to the child; and that their role only starts after the child reaches adulthood. With this ideology, the child is often used as a bargaining tool by wife to arm twist the husband in marital dispute negotiations, due to which parental alienation syndrome occur and the absence of a father’s love and presence has a lasting negative consequences on a child’s development. In this blog, we aim to shed light on the essential role of fathers in a child’s life and raise awareness about the detrimental effects of growing up without the love and support of a father.

Fathers as Nurturers and Role Models: Fathers provide a unique form of nurturing and guidance that complements the mother’s role. They offer a different perspective, teaching valuable life lessons, and modelling positive behaviour. A father’s presence helps instil discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic in their children. Their involvement contributes to a well-rounded upbringing, where children learn from diverse perspectives and experiences. Even though the child is small, every child needs a right amount of life lessons and discipline to become a good individual. A father helps shape up the child from the very beginning by providing the right value system in child and also to create a good moral benchmark of the child so that the child does not end up walking the wrong path in life.

Emotional Development and Self-Esteem: Fathers play a crucial role in their children’s emotional development. By providing love, support, and affection, they create a secure and nurturing environment. A father’s presence helps build a child’s self-esteem, confidence, and sense of self-worth. They offer guidance in navigating emotions, teaching children to express themselves effectively and manage conflicts in a healthy manner. It is well established that a child looks for emotional support from a father whenever he/she faces a rough day at school or with peers. Therefore, it is safe to say that father helps build self-esteem in a child from very early age till almost the retirement age of the child, at regular intervals.

Education and Cognitive Development: Fathers significantly influence their children’s educational and cognitive development. Their involvement in a child’s education, such as helping with homework, engaging in stimulating conversations, and fostering a love for learning, can have a profound impact. Studies have shown that children with actively involved fathers tend to perform better academically, exhibit higher problem-solving skills, and display greater intellectual curiosity.

Building Healthy Relationships: The presence of a father figure is crucial in helping children develop healthy relationships throughout their lives. Fathers teach their children about respect, empathy, and communication by modelling these qualities in their own interactions. They provide a blueprint for future relationships, especially regarding gender roles, teaching sons to be compassionate and respectful toward women and guiding daughters in forming healthy boundaries and expectations. It is also very much observed in the society that children who have been devoid of the father in their childhood have severe trust issues and are incapable to developing deep and meaningful relationships. These children are often manipulative and very easily tend to develop some or the other form of mental health disorder such as Bipolar Disorder, OCD, etc.

Encouraging Gender Equality: In today’s society, fathers play a vital role in breaking down gender stereotypes and promoting gender equality. By treating their children equally regardless of their gender, fathers create an environment that encourages both sons and daughters to pursue their passions, dreams, and aspirations. Fathers who share household responsibilities, respect women, and challenge traditional gender norms help shape a more inclusive and equitable society for future generations. Since the father also plays the role of mentor and role model to their children, they leave a deep impact on the child to form a opinion about the role and respect of both genders in the society.

Negative Impact of Parental Alienation Syndrome: Parental alienation syndrome, which occurs when one parent manipulates or alienates the child from the other parent, can have severe consequences. In Indian context, it is often the mother who alienates child from the father whenever there is a marital dispute between them. When a child is denied access to their father’s love and presence, they may experience emotional distress, confusion, and a loss of identity. Without the influence of a father, children may struggle with self-esteem, exhibit behavioural issues, and have difficulty forming healthy relationships. The long-term effects can extend into adulthood, impacting their overall well-being.

The role of fathers in a child’s life is immeasurable, as they provide love, guidance, and support essential for healthy development. Parental alienation syndrome deprives children of the irreplaceable bond with their father, causing significant negative effects on their emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. As a society, we must raise awareness about the importance of fatherhood, promote healthy co-parenting, and support efforts to prevent and address parental alienation. By recognizing the vital role fathers play in shaping their children’s lives, we can work towards creating a more nurturing and inclusive environment for all children to thrive.

At Nyay Prayaas Foundation, we make sincere efforts to create awareness of importance of father in child’s life and also help the father who have been alienated from their children by giving them emotional, psychological and legal support to help them sail through tough times.

If you wish to learn more about the laws of different IPC sections or roles and powers of police, or how to tackle your personal matrimonial case using most accurate legal, mental and psychological techniques, you may get in touch with us via our all India helpline +91 9811550662.

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