Learning from the Experts
Dads and Depression
When it comes to giving children the best start in life, policymakers, welfare institutions and society at large agree that the mother’s well-being is a major contributing factor to her child’s mental health. And indeed, in most western countries, structures
The Black Father-Daughter Relationship in the United States: Facts and Fiction
Single mother households make up 64% of Black or African American families, and while we often hear of the adverse effects of single parenting on children - and more specifically girls – is it fair to assume that the daughters
For Dads: Co-parenting alliance and how it mediates the healthy growth of our daughters
Co-parenting alliance, and the ways in which it mediates the healthy growth of our daughters is not just more unsolicited advice about ‘how to be a good dad’. It’s about understanding the emotional, financial, and social benefits of positive co-parenting
For Fathers: Girls, Body Image and Eating Disorders
Distorted body image and eating disorders among young girls are debilitating conditions that are all too frequent, but fortunately there are ways fathers can become aware of common symptoms and understand how to best approach their daughters who might be
Adolescent Dating Violence: A Brief Guide for Dads of Daughters – Part 2
Adolescence is a unique developmental life stage when romantic interests begin to sprout, and, as we saw in Part I of our series, dating offers many benefits and is a healthy part of a young woman’s emotional development. For instance,
When Daughters Start to Date – Helping Dads Navigate This New Terrain – Part 1
Often, the idea of their adolescent daughters starting to date worries fathers, for a variety of reasons. But this developmental step, now “well evidenced … [as] important … for adolescents’ self-identity, functioning and capacity for intimacy,” can not only promote
Adolescent Girls and Cyberbullying – Part 2
Cyberbullying in adolescent girls, while not a recent phenomenon, is receiving more and more attention recently for its devastating consequences, both for the victims and the perpetrators. In Part 1 of Growing Girl’s two-part series on cyberbullying and adolescent girls,
Adolescent Girls and Cyberbullying – Part 1
The phenomenon of cyberbullying dates to the 1990’s, but the first documented case to reach the attention of researchers and media was the online harassment, and eventual suicide, of 13-year old Megan Meier in 2007. This happened in the U.S.
Intimate Partner Violence: How it Affects Girls & What Dads Can Do
Intimate Partner Violence is not just about physically assaulting a romantic partner (or ex-partner). There are psychological and emotional components, and people other than the victim get hurt as well. Children who live in homes where Intimate Partner Violence takes
The Daughters of Migrant Fathers: a Driving Force for Cultural Shift
Throughout history, waves of immigrants settling in new places have created meccas of multicultural, diverse, and mixed-family societies by merging their native countries’ values with those of the host countries. However, moving to a new country and adapting to new
Fatherhood and Immigration – Dispelling the myths
The 21st century has seen unprecedented numbers of families migrating to other countries – some are fleeing warfare, poverty, political, or economic crises; others are simply seeking a better quality of life and opportunities for their children and themselves. Whether
Understanding Teenage Girls: What Fathers Need to Know
A common concern often raised by the Dads of Daughters community is ‘How can a dad guide his daughter during this period of confusion, chaos, and change – also known as adolescence - in a way that helps her progress