There are increasing numbers of young men who want to take an active role in raising their children. According to reports in Canada, 82 percent of men aged 21 - 39 choose to have a work schedule that will allow for more time with their families. According to the report, a study was made in which 1008 US men and women aged between 21 to 65 were surveyed, 71 percent of young men said that they would give up their some of their pay so as to have more time with their families.

One of the founders of the National Fathers Initiative, which promotes responsible, committed fatherhood, noted that in a 1994 survey of 1600 US men, 50 percent said that their own fathers were emotionally absent during their childhood. Many of today's fathers do not want to see this pattern repeated.

Fathers who are actively involved with their children can be of wholesome influence. When fathers eat meals with their children, go out with them and help them with their homework, there will be fewer behaviour problems, higher levels of sociability and a higher level of school performance among children and adolescents.

The role of the father is vital. It includes supporting and respecting the mother and sharing in child rearing tasks. This fills a vital emotional need of children.


- ROTIMI ALAGBE