Who Raises Children More Successfully? Experts Say It’s Someone We Wouldn’t Expect.

Interestingly, researchers have found that children raised by involved fathers tend to be more successful in life.

Yale University in the United States conducted a 12-year longitudinal survey, collecting tracking records of children of all ages. The results showed that children raised by involved fathers tend to perform better academically and are more dynamic.

Why are children raised by involved fathers more successful?

It stems from a preference for freedom

In 2021, Brown University in the United States published the results of a study: Compared to children born before the pandemic, children born during the COVID-19 pandemic showed significant declines in language, motor, and overall cognitive abilities.

So, by how much has the rate decreased? Some organizations that conducted comparative surveys found that the average IQ of children born in the ten years before the pandemic, from 2011 to 2019, was around 100. However, the average IQ of children born during the pandemic, from 2019 to 2021, dropped to 78. Why is this the case?

In reality, IQ is influenced not only by genetic factors but also by environmental and nutritional factors. Continuous lockdowns in education have caused children’s brains to be stuck at home, unable to receive sufficient information and stimulation.

Fathers tend to let children enjoy their experiences.

According to experts, in daily parenting habits, compared to mothers, grandmothers, and other caregivers, fathers tend to parent by focusing on the bigger picture and not getting caught up in minor details.

For example, if a child messes up their clothes while playing, a mother or grandmother might immediately stop them, but a father is more likely to let the child enjoy their experience.

This friendly attitude in parenting provides children with more opportunities to receive various stimuli and interactions to a certain degree, while also promoting brain development.

Better logical thinking abilities

We can observe a common phenomenon where the number of female students in liberal arts classes far exceeds the number of males, and conversely, the number of male students in science classes is higher.

One of the most important criteria for high school students to choose science subjects is interest, meaning which subjects they like and are good at.

It can be seen that, starting from middle school, the logical thinking, spatial thinking, and math and physics abilities of males are generally stronger than those of females.

In life, compared to emotional mothers and grandmothers, fathers tend to exhibit stronger logical thinking abilities and pay more attention to brain development and cognitive training for their children.

For instance, if a child encounters difficulties in stacking blocks and asks for help, a mother or grandmother might directly help the child complete the task, while a father is more likely to guide the child to observe the shapes and structures of the blocks first and then analyze the building steps, encouraging the child to come up with a solution independently.

Although the blocks may eventually be stacked with the mother’s help, the father teaches the child analytical and problem-solving skills while fostering logical thinking and independence.

As a result, children with involved fathers tend to develop strong logical and independent thinking skills, enabling them to find solutions more effectively when facing complex problems in the future.

Superior logical thinking abilities

A spirit of exploration and curiosity

Psychologist Gerdi states that men tend to be more adventurous, explorative, tolerant, and curious than women. These traits will be reflected in their parenting styles.

Men are inherently curious and adventurous, and this translates into their parenting. So, whether they are raising a son or a daughter, fathers are more likely to understand their children’s curiosity and impulsiveness and provide them with more opportunities to explore and take calculated risks.

By allowing their children to face challenges and experience failure, fathers help them develop essential skills and a growth mindset, fostering resilience and a sense of accomplishment.

What if fathers are too busy to spend time with their children?

With changing social norms and the dissemination of new knowledge, in recent years, more fathers have actively taken on caring and nurturing roles. Involved fathers not only care about their children’s growth but are also willing to dedicate time and participate in their daily lives and education.

However, what if a father is too busy with work or other commitments? Child development experts point out that it’s not the quantity of time spent but the quality of engagement that matters.

Therefore, it’s understandable if fathers are busy and cannot spend as much time with their children as they’d like. The key is to make the most of the available time to create meaningful and engaging moments.

– Spend 10 to 20 minutes reading, playing, or chatting about the day’s highlights and lowlights. Even a short amount of dedicated time can make a difference in a child’s life.

Spend quality time reading or playing with your child.

– During pick-ups and drop-offs, engage in conversations about their day, asking about interesting things they did at school, or share stories about your own childhood experiences.

– In the evenings before bedtime or whenever you have some free time, grab a book and read to your child. It could be a comic book or a science book that you both enjoy.

– On weekends or holidays, take your child to a park, breathe in the fresh air, and admire the flora and fauna.

– If your child has a special talent, such as drawing, singing, or sports, make time to play or guide them in those pursuits.

– If you can’t make it home in time for bedtime, consider a video call or even a voice message. Let your child know that even when you’re not physically present, you’re still thinking of them.

– If you’re so busy that you can’t find time for the above activities, or if you have to travel for extended periods, enlist the help of uncles, grandfathers, or other male role models to fill in for you and provide that important male influence.