CPS Celebrates Dads this Father's Day

‘Any fool … can make a baby, but only a real man can raise his children’, says Furious in the 1991 film Boyz in the Hood. Children’s Protection Society CEO Bernadette Burchell echoes this sentiment: ‘Fathers are fathers for life, and being a good father or a bad father or an absent father will affect your child’s future. It is a job worth taking seriously and as early as possible.’

Government thinking on the important role of fathers supports this: the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs asserts that, ‘Fathers have an invaluable role to take in the development of their children. They have the capacity to make a difference to the quality and happiness of their children's lives.’

The research is overwhelming. A 2002 study by the Family Action Centre, University of Newcastle shows that ‘Children with highly involved fathers are characterised by increased cognitive competence, increased empathy and … less problematic and delinquent behaviours as they grow older.’

Economically and in terms of wellbeing, engaged fathers are vital. The Fatherhood Institute’s report, The Dad Deficit – The Missing Piece in the Maternity Jigsaw tells us ‘families with absent fathers are more prone to financial hardship, increasing the chances of disadvantage. And families that function better are good for society and the economy.’

CPS works holistically, taking a whole-of-community approach to child protection, offering support for all members of the family and all types of families.

Our work with families indicates that children at risk of abuse and neglect rarely have a positive father in their lives and that over 60% of children who receive our assistance live in families where the behaviour of the father is a significant risk factor for the children, often through aggression and violence, but also through absence or disinterest.

To better support and equip dads, CPS offers specialist father support services including antenatal services such as ‘I’m a Dad’ at the Northern Hospital and ‘I’m an Aboriginal Dad’ at the Mercy Hospital for Women. These programs offer new approaches to fatherhood and celebrate the role of the father.

One recent ‘graduate’, aged 24 who was apprehensive about being a father said after attending the group that ‘as I understand more, I seem to be able to enjoy the prospect of fatherhood more.’ Another young father said that he now had ‘… the confidence to take a more active role in my son’s upbringing. The skills and knowledge have been very enlightening for me.’

Bernadette Burchell maintains that ‘Early positive relationships with parents are the key ingredients to later life success. Fathers are as important as mothers in ensuring a good start in life for children and healthy development into adulthood.’

This Father’s Day, CPS would like to congratulate fathers who are helping their children to a better start by getting active in their lives. As CPS patron Neil Mitchell says, ‘Taking my job as a father seriously has taught me how to have more fun!’