'A father’s love counts for a lot': Reflecting on dad’s influence this Father's Day

A Halifax-based psychologist says a quality relationship with their father is ‘very valuable’ for a child’s psychological health and development.

Father’s Day is the time to celebrate dads, and reflect on the influence they have on the lives of their children.

Registered psychologist Dr. Simon Sherry says dads add significant value to the lives of their children.

“Fathers play an important role in the lives of their children, and that comes across in two ways,” begins Dr. Sherry.

“First, fatherlessness, is very difficult for children and for families. In other words, if there’s no dad in a family, it can result in riskier outcomes for the children within that family.”

Research has shown a quality relationship teaches children to be less reactive to stress.

“Dads teach key lessons, such as self control, or fearlessness, or how to follow the rules. So dads have a very important role here.”

Dr. Sherry stresses spending time with your kids doesn’t necessarily promote better outcomes, it’s what you’re doing with the time you have with him.