5 Reasons Father-Daughter Relationships Are Important















 Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
~ “Daughters,” by John Mayer

We hear a lot about the importance of male role models in a boy’s life. It is indeed important. But what’s often missing from the conversation is the importance of fathers in a daughter’s life as well. Children really do learn what they live. Not having the perspective of older people, they consider whatever their family is like as their “normal.” From infancy, girls draw conclusions about what men are like from the men in their life. If there is a father (or a male in her life who takes a father role), that man becomes her guidepost for what to expect of men and what to expect of men’s attitude toward women. His relationship to her mother or his significant other is her template for what her relationship with a man will be when she grows up.

1. Dad's influence their daughter's self-image. First and foremost, dads should always tell their daughters how beautiful they are and help their daughter develop a good self-image, while also reminding them that inner-beauty is more important than outward beauty. However, it’s also important that dads are careful about what they say about other women in front of their daughters. If a daughter overhears her dad talking about how a movie star needs to lose weight or isn’t pretty enough, for example, she may internalize those comments and wonder if she too is overweight or not pretty enough.

2. When dads encourage their daughters to dream big they empower them for the future. When I was growing up my dad told me that I could do anything that I set my mind to doing, and I believed him; and it empowered me to pursue my dreams. Dads can’t underestimate the influence they can have on their daughter’s life by encouraging them to dream big dreams for themselves. Yes, they may receive this encouragement from their mom, from teachers, and even from peers, but they most definitely need to hear it from their dads too.

 3. Dads set the bar for future dates. When it comes to dating, dads set the standard for how dates should treat their daughters. Dads can set the bar high by taking their daughters on dates when they are little girls and pre-teens. When a dad opens the doors for his daughter, engages her in good conversation, and treats her with respect, then she will naturally expect that from anyone who wants to date her.

4. A Dad who is involved in his daughter's life teaches her that she matters. One of the most important things a father can do for his daughter is just show up. Dads are notorious for wanting to fix all their daughters’ problems, but more important than fixing problems, is just being there and offering a listening ear, giving a hug, and promising to love her no matter what. Simply, showing up at big life events, whether that’s ballet or a basketball game, is important too. Whatever it is, be there, and show her that she matters.

5. A daughter who has a protective father feels safe. Daughters may roll their eyes when their dad acts overprotective, but she will appreciate knowing that you have her back no matter what. She’ll know that she can call you at any hour of the day, and you’ll be there when she needs you. That’s just what dads do.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

9 INTERESTING Facts About Kolanut

Image
Kolanut is quite common in Nigerian, especially in rural areas. It is often used ceremonially at weddings, coronations or at any traditional ceremony. It is presented to chiefs or presented to guests when they visit. To the West, Kolanut is seen as a flavoring ingredient and one of the sources of caffeine in cola and other similarly flavored beverages, although the use of kola (or kola flavoring) in commercial cola drinks has become uncommon. Kolanut (Bissy nut) belongs to the family of Sterculiaceae and was introduced to Jamaica from Africa. Kolanut is a tropical plant that is original from the African continent with approximately 20-40 species, however, the most common kola nuts species are the Cola acumulata and Cola nitida. For some people whose only knowledge of Kolanut is that it is broken at traditional ceremonies, INFORMATION NIGERIA in this piece brings you 7 other facts about it that are sure handy…  Metabolism Booste r: One of the unique effects of the kola nut, largel
Read more

Bring Bach our Girls OAU student, Staff Protest over Chibok Girls

  “We want action not committee. No more blood shedding, kidnap our corrupt politicians not innocent students. Say no to terrorism. No child is born to be abducted was the write up on the placard Placards carried by the students, who are currently writing their rain semester examination, Our staff and students condemn the abduction of Chibok girls. If it can happen to the Chibok Girls, then no one is safe. As parents, we feel the pain and anguish of the families of the Chibok girls.” The peaceful Demonstration which was organised by Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies, saw demonstrator dressed in white and red attire marching round the campus expressing their concerns over the missing girls. Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Lateefah Durosinmi, explained that the demonstration was to show solidarity. “We don’t know what they’ve been eating or what they’ve done to them. Anybody that has information on how to get these girls should not hesitate to provide it,” she said.
Read more

What If Your Life Were a Movie?

Image
I just read a little book on life after death called The Afterlife of Billy Fingers . You’ll have to read it yourself to understand the title and the whole story (which I do recommend). But in it, Billy describes a phase of the afterlife in which you are surrounded (I pictured it like Saturn’s Rings) with a holographic movie screen that replays your life. The film is interactive, virtual, and presented without judgment... As the viewer, you’re able to explore the variations of your life could have taken, as many possibilities as you wish. What if you would have married someone else? What if you’d chosen a different career path? Billy’s advice? Make your life as interesting and adventurous as possible. Have fun with it!  Now my interpretation: It’s just a life, it’s not the end of the world! And you are the screenwriter, the director, the editor—and don’t worry so much about what the critics will think, because you’re also the audience—so what do you want to see from your life?
Read more