It was mothers who were involved in the school life of a child than the fathers earlier. But today it's just as important for dads to be involved in the classroom and education of their children. Research confirmed that a father’s emotional engagement leads to multiple positive outcomes and serves as a significant protective factor against high-risk behaviours in both girls and boys. This holds true for fathers living in the home as well as those who aren't. More frequent father engagement in a child’s literacy and education results in higher achievement levels in reading and math for the child.
Educators who work with families have an unprecedented opportunity to engage fathers in children’s lives at school, especially in the elementary grades, and to raise awareness about the critical role fathers and father-figures play in how well students perform. While most fathers would welcome the opportunity to be involved in their children’s school life, they are still largely absent, especially when compared to the number of mothers who are committed to parental involvement in schools.
Dads have to take responsibility for stepping up and getting more involved in the everyday life and fabric of the school, even if it means stepping out of their comfort zone. One study published in 2001 found fathers were most likely to attend activities designed for the whole family, and meetings focused on learning about child development and planning for the child’s future, and to take advantage of opportunities to learn more about parenting skills.
