Motion for a resolution | Doc. 12941 | 25 May 2012

Fathers and their influence on children’s well-being

Signatories: Mr Joseph FALZON, Malta, EPP/CD ; Mr Pedro AGRAMUNT, Spain, EPP/CD ; Mr Viorel Riceard BADEA, Romania, EPP/CD ; Ms Lolita ČIGĀNE, Latvia, EPP/CD ; Mr Arcadio DÍAZ TEJERA, Spain, SOC ; Mr György FRUNDA, Romania, EPP/CD ; Mr Jean-Charles GARDETTO, Monaco, EPP/CD ; Mr Valeriu GHILETCHI, Republic of Moldova, EPP/CD ; Mr Andres HERKEL, Estonia, EPP/CD ; Mr Ferenc KALMÁR, Hungary, EPP/CD ; Ms Inese LĪBIŅA-EGNERE, Latvia, EPP/CD ; Ms Nicole MANZONE-SAQUET, Monaco, EPP/CD ; Mr Frano MATUŠIĆ, Croatia, EPP/CD ; Mr Edgar MAYER, Austria, EPP/CD ; Mr Laurent NOUVION, Monaco, EPP/CD ; Mr Joseph O'REILLY, Ireland, EPP/CD ; Ms Liliana PALIHOVICI, Republic of Moldova, EPP/CD ; Ms Elsa PAPADIMITRIOU, Greece, EPP/CD ; Ms Jaana PELKONEN, Finland, EPP/CD ; Mr John Paul PHELAN, Ireland, EPP/CD ; Mr Giacomo SANTINI, Italy, EPP/CD ; Mr Kimmo SASI, Finland, EPP/CD ; Romana TOMC, Slovenia, EPP/CD ; Mr Latchezar TOSHEV, Bulgaria, EPP/CD ; Mr Imre VEJKEY, Hungary, EPP/CD ; Mr Stefaan VERCAMER, Belgium, EPP/CD ; Ms Anne-Mari VIROLAINEN, Finland, EPP/CD ; Mr Luca VOLONTÈ, Italy, EPP/CD ; Mr Karl ZELLER, Italy, EPP/CD

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Father’s role in the family is often underestimated although it has a very important impact on the future of children. Academic research shows that intact family have a higher net worth, higher income, more household assets and greater savings.

Fathers influence children’s well-being, behaviour and future. In particular, married fathers can have life-long influences on their children. Young growing up with both mother and father at home are less likely to engage in high-risk behaviours, such as abusing drugs and alcohol, and binge drinking is less common among them.

Involved fathers bring benefit to their children. Children with caring fathers are more likely to be emotionally secure, confident to explore their environment, have better social relationships with other children and better educational outcomes. The way fathers behave with their children also has an important influence on a child’s emotional and social development. Dad’s relationship with his children is therefore associated with greater psychological well-being, lower levels of behavioural problems and greater educational attainment.

The Parliamentary Assembly urgently should reflect on “how” to revitalise and promote father’s role in the family, social and cultural life.