Importance of fathers in the lives of daughters

"At a time when the possibility of creating babies without men is no longer solely in the realm of science fiction, and when many children live without their fathers, due to divorce and relationship breakdown, the importance of fatherhood is in serious danger of becoming an antiquated notion...

Daughters who perceive that their fathers care a lot about them, who feel connected with their fathers, have significantly fewer suicide attempts and fewer instances of body dissatisfaction, depression, low self-esteem, substance use and unhealthy weight. Just in case we need convincing that our culture really is bad for girls, she lists some very disturbing facts (I have listed only a few of these):

• A daughter's self-esteem is best predicted by her father's physical affection.• Girls with good fathers are less likely to flaunt themselves to seek male attention.

• 11.9 per cent of females will experience forced intercourse.

• Girls with involved fathers wait longer to initiate sex and have lower rates of teen pregnancy.

• 76 per cent of teen girls said that their fathers influenced their decisions on whether they should become sexually active.

• Daughters who perceive that their fathers care a lot about them, who feel connected with their fathers, have significantly fewer suicide attempts and fewer instances of body dissatisfaction, depression, low self-esteem, substance use and unhealthy weight.

"...There is something very special and particular about the relationship between a father and daughter, which has the potential to protect a girl emotionally, physically and psychologically, as no other relationship in her life can.Fathers need to trust their own instincts as men. For too long they have allowed themselves to be cowed by radical feminists in their ivory towers and the PC police who say that it is sexist for fathers to be too protective of their daughters. As the evidence in Dr Meeker's book shows overwhelmingly, a protective, loving and involved father can often, literally, save his daughter's life." (From News Weekly)

If you want to read more on this subject, click here or on the post title for a book review of Fathers and Daughters: Eye Opening Facts.