Still reading online and was looking at a Rasmussen Poll that asked this question:
"Who plays the biggest role in determining the future success and happiness of a child—his or her parents, siblings, friends, or teachers?"
Not surprisingly, 85% of poll respondents said the child's parents.
And, we can look around and see the evidence of this. Studies show that in households with involved fathers, there were far fewer behavioral problems and higher test scores. Of course, there are all the studies showing that the majority of incarcerated adults had an absent father. They are also much more likely to live in poverty and get involved with drugs later on.
But, there is good news if you are divorced or separated. There was a study completed at Penn State showing that fathers who were very involved in their children's lives, even if they didn't live with them, had a very positive influence on their lives as well.
Not everybody has two very involved parents though. In those cases, the remaining parent takes on the role of two. Love your child. Don't be a marshmallow. Be authoritative but not authoritarian.
The greatest influence, I believe, is love and we all have that capability.
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