Turning to Father
The role of fathers relative to mothers and friends as confidants for adolescents
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September 1997
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Abstract
There is a growing public awareness that fathers, like mothers, provide advice, friendship and emotional support for their children. In this article the author discusses the extent to which teenagers confide in their fathers, mothers and friends, and whether confiding in fathers is independently linked with the well being of teenagers. The analysis is based on the 1991-92 Australian Institute of Family Studies Australian Living Standards Study, and focuses on the responses of 2016 young people who lived with both natural parents. Findings show that the approachability of both fathers and mothers may contribute to the well being of adolescents, while at the same time high well being in young people may predispose them to approach their parents for advice or emotional support. The link between the tendency to confide in fathers and adolescents' well being is consistent with arguments advanced by proponents of the men's movement that fathers can play an important role in their children's lives, not only as providers of financial and material support but also as confidants, nurturers and role models, and as providers of emotional and practical support for mothers.
There is a growing public awareness that fathers, like mothers, provide advice, friendship and emotional support for their children. In this article the author discusses the extent to which teenagers confide in their fathers, mothers and friends, and whether confiding in fathers is independently linked with the well being of teenagers. The analysis is based on the 1991-92 Australian Institute of Family Studies Australian Living Standards Study, and focuses on the responses of 2016 young people who lived with both natural parents. Findings show that the approachability of both fathers and mothers may contribute to the well being of adolescents, while at the same time high well being in young people may predispose them to approach their parents for advice or emotional support. The link between the tendency to confide in fathers and adolescents' well being is consistent with arguments advanced by proponents of the men's movement that fathers can play an important role in their children's lives, not only as providers of financial and material support but also as confidants, nurturers and role models, and as providers of emotional and practical support for mothers.