Stability is necessary for any child. A father who has a clear, unchanging position gives his child a safe place to explore the world around him, understand himself, and decide who he will become in the future.

Studies show that when children have a father who’s consistent with his authority, they are less likely to quarrel with either parent. They also trust their father for advice on important issues. And they tend to develop higher self-esteem. The time fathers invest in those early years helps establish a strong bond that continues to benefit children into their adolescence and beyond.