Throughout time, the traditional family unit has been defined as a mother, father, and children. This has been standard and accepted by most cultures. It can be argued that mothers and fathers each have defined roles, and these roles make up the traditional family unit. Within the past 40 years, gender roles have been challenged, and the question now is whether a father is an essential part to a family. The purpose of this paper is to view the argument from both sides, and come to a conclusion.
Fathers are not Essential
One side of this debate is a study conducted by Louise B. Silverstein and Carl F. Auerbach, who are both researchers at Yeshiva University. Silverstein and Auerbach believe that with gender changing roles in recent times, that the role of a father is not essential for a family. Given the rise in feminism, artificial insemination, and gay couples adopting children, the traditional family roles are changed. While the authors believe that a father and mother who are positive forces in a child’s life are ideal, this family structure is not essential for the positive development of a child (Silverstein & Auerbach, n.d.).
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"Are Fathers Essential?".
The culture of society has also changed over the past four decades. It is common for couples to have children out of wedlock, and for parents to divorce. From an economic standpoint, it is common for both parents to have careers, which also changes the traditional roles of mothers and fathers. The researchers also concluded from that homosexual parents or heterosexual parents do not necessarily have an outcome on children, and these children have an equal chance of becoming heterosexual. Fathers are also seen as masculine role models for boys, and this role is crucial for a boy’s development. With the rise in homosexual parents, this is challenged because a child has the chance of having two fathers or two mothers (Silverstein & Auerbach, n.d.).
Fathers Are Essential to Healthy Families
On the other side, Alan W. Dowd believes the opposite, that father are essential to a traditional family unit. Dowd challenges the study by Siverstein and Auerbach, contending that father are a vital part of a child’s development, and that children who grow up without fathers are more likely to perform poorly in school, and more likely to engage in illegal activities. He believes that fathers are important role models for children, and that fatherless children only have an idea of the father role from watching television. Dowd believes that the gender roles are still the same, and that the father is seen as a role model for boys, relationship model for girls, and protectors of the family (Dowd, n.d.).
Personal Opinion
It is the firm belief of this author that fathers are essential to the wellbeing and development of children. Fathers who choose to stay involved with children’s lives influence the children in a positive way. The child knows that he or she has two parents who love him or her dearly, and while gender equality and gender roles are changing, children look to mothers for comfort, and fathers for strength. Not to say that a mother cannot be strong, but the mother kisses the boo-boo and the father teaches the child to stand up for himself or herself. Both roles are equally strong, but both roles are also necessary.
Conclusion
To summarize, the purpose of this paper was to look at both sides of the argument of whether or not a father is necessary in a child’s life. There are compelling arguments for and against the need for a father. This point can be debated and argued at great length, but in the end, as long as a child has people in his or her life who will love, nurture, and raise them unconditionally, that is all one can really ask for. There is no right or wrong answer to this debate, so it all comes down to personal perspective.
- Dowd, A. W. (n.d.). Fathers Are Essential to Healthy Families.
- Silverstein, L. B., & Auerbach, C. F. (n.d.). Fathers Are Not Essential to Healthy Families.
