Author: Daniela Aldoney, Jessica Jacoby and Sanndy Infante
Author title: Universidad del Desarrollo, Facultad de Psicología; Instituto de Bienestar Socioemocional (IBEM), Chile
Description: Fathering has shifted from the view of fathers as peripheral caregivers to their recognition as active and essential contributors to children’s development. Evidence shows that fathers are as capable as mothers of sensitive caregiving and of nurturing secure attachment, while also offering distinctive contributions through play, exploration, and language that stimulate children’s cognitive, language, and socioemotional growth.

This article reviews similarities and differences between mothers and fathers, highlights cultural variation in fathering practices, and notes gaps in the evidence due to reliance on Western, middle-class samples. We propose that practice and policy can benefit from more intentional inclusion of fathers, the design of father-friendly and culturally sensitive services, and research that values diversity to better support families and promote equity.

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