Fathers benefit from seeking help as parents

Men are sometimes criticized for being unwilling to ask for directions when they travel, but they can benefit from looking for help as they begin their journeys as fathers, according to a researcher on fatherhood at the University of Chicago. Along the way, they should not shy from asserting their roles, said Jennifer Bellamy, an Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. "Sometimes dads feel like they don't get the same level of support that moms do when they become parents, but I think dads should seek opportunities from the beginning to be involved with their children," said Bellamy, who worked on a research project in Texas on fatherhood and has published on the subject. "Fathers should, for instance, try to go to visits with the pediatrician and ask questions about their child's development," she suggested. She also said fathers should seek out groups in their communities that provide support and encouragement for fatherhood and visit websites devoted to fathering for tips on their role. Such resources can help fathers develop their distinctive strengths as parents. "We know that fathers play with children in a different way than mothers do, they are more physical, and that benefits the children.