Growing Up Without A Father And His Role In Childhood Development

There is a riches of indication on Fathers’ positive impact in early childhood development (ECD), as this has been a topic of interest to scientists working in early childhood development globally. Both children and fathers show positive effects when fathers take part in their development; on the other side of the coin, criminalism may have a root of poor or no fathering (Allen & Daly, 2002). Successful ECCD programming should take the initiatives to execute effective father involvement. The ECCD Project initiated by World Vision in Wilgamuwa, Sri Lanka, has confirmed that ECCD has proved to be a useful platform in encouraging fathers to be engaged in childrearing alongside the mothers (World Vision, 2010). The Parent Effectiveness Service (PES) run by the government offers support to all caregivers especially from lower income families. This model primarily focuses on fathers (Rao & Sun, 2010). These are the snapshot of world status.

However, very few research-based literature has been found which conducted in Bangladesh to explore the fatherhood which found the perception, their role in children development and well-being as well as the challenges to be an involved father.

On the other hand, at present and in recent past Bangladesh society is known to be male-dominated or patriarchal society and where compared to women, men have enjoyed a relatively higher status (Chakma, 2010). In general, men remain the key figure in domestic decision-making, play key social and emotional roles for the family. In spite of these, society and families in urban Bangladesh highly value education and they want their child to be educated, be successful in life, and be economically solvent. (Ball & Wahedi, 2010). Its means that these urban parents are very much aware about their children success. So it is needed to catch the touch point to build awareness, knowledge and create willingness of fathers’ involvement in early childhood care. The value of fatherhood is therefore yet to be fully explored as a window of opportunity for enhancing children’s cognitive, physical, socio-emotional and language development from the early years. The message should be dissimilated that fathers who stay in their spouse’s pregnancy and help the partner to take care of their children tend to be more involved for the whole life of the children and these fathers’ are willing to bear the responsibilities. It is associated with child’s overall development and well-being.

In fact, the government of Bangladesh is giving high priority on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD). An Operational Framework for Pre-primary Education (2008) has already been approved and The Comprehensive Early Childhood care and Development Framework has also developed (2013) to address the issue. The strategic Principles (7.3 Parenting) indicated that to ensure the development of the child through strengthening of knowledge and skills of parents and caregivers through focusing on the family as a main unit responsible for the children.

Nevertheless, before going to take any initiative or starting any program of involving fathers in early childhood care, it is needed to know the present status, what the parents’ perceived about child rearing, what is the current practice and what are the obstacles to become a fully involved father. Because, uninvolved fathers in children’s early days in Bangladeshi context is a very pervasive issue. Attempts to introduce and fit it in our culture may be in vain since the general people will consider this initiatives to be conflicting with our socials values and may show xenophobia since it’s a euro-western system of parenting. So, it is very much needed to know the perception of father involvement for children development and well-being in Bangladeshi context.

Perception: The word perception comes from the Latin perception-, percepio, meaning 'receiving, collecting, action of taking possession, apprehension with the mind or senses.' Perception is the process by which stimulation of the senses is translated into meaningful experience (Encyclopaedia, 2019).

Fathers’ Involvement: Father’s role can be defined not only with the provider role but also three others main roles which have been suggested by researchers. The three main roles are i) engagement (direct contact); ii) accessibility (being available even if it’s not physically possible); iii) responsibility (being caring) (Lamb, et al., 1987). In defining aspects of ‘father involvement’ here the researcher identified the accessibility - father’s presence and availability; engagement - direct contact, such as play, reading, outings or care-giving activities and responsibility - participation in decisions on childcare, health visits and other practical issues, such as choosing clothes, diapers and sleeping arrangements for the infant.

Children Well-being: According to WHO, Well-being is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity but a state of complete physical, mental and social welfare (WHO, 2014). Due to the wide range of the theme: children’s well-being, there is no set of solid definitions because it may vary from settings to settings. Different angles have to be considered before a rigid definition of children’s well-being can be set (Moriarty, 2018).

Generally it is thought that people’s living standard have to do with their well-being. However, here the researcher is actually attempting to bring focus on two different and important methods of measuring well-beings. Firstly it can be measured by social indicators; Secondly it is a subjective well-being (hedonic) (Samman, 2007) which includes immeasurable factors such as happiness, satisfaction. Another subpart of this second type of measure; psychological well-being (eudemonic) – includes sense of purpose or meaning, personal growth and so on. So in this study both the subjective and psychological well-being will be considered.