Score One for Dads! Study Shows Persistence Learned from Pop
You can do it!
In a happy post-Father’s Day slap on the back, a dad’s role in raising kids with stick-to-it … iv … ness, er, the ability to persevere (much better!) was highlighted in a recent study.
Researchers from the Brigham Young University School of Family Life reported their findings in the Journal of Early Adolescence, saying that persistence acquired from a father’s “authoritative” — not authoritarian — parenting can lead to higher rates of persistence and help kids stay in school, be awesome, win stage shows, etc., etc., etc. I’m still digesting it. I think that last part is probably in there. Maybe.
“There are relatively few studies that highlight the unique role of fathers,” Padilla-Walker said. “This research also helps to establish that traits such as persistence – which can be taught – are key to a child’s life success.”
The key was that the dads showed authoritative parenting methods, in which there is a lot of love and firm boundaries but also a level of autonomy — not to be confused with authoritarian parenting, in which it’s my way or the highway. I’ve read studies such as this one in the past, highlighting the need for parents to let kids have a long leash in some areas, so to speak, or to let them win arguments or set their own rules on certain things.
As much as I’d like for dads to keep taking credit, I imagine it’s this method of parenting, not necessarily the gender of the parent, that sets kids up for success. Still, it’s nice for dads to get a slap on the back every now and then.
Mike Adamick writes at Cry It Out!
Photo: Morguefile
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