Too often, the role of a father is easily seen as secondary to the child's social and cognitive development. Since the mother is much more caring and is physically there most of the time for her child, fathers tend to be seen more as parents whose only purpose is to have a good time "roughing it up" with their children.

In addition to their boisterous reputation, they are also seen as providers. For most fathers, the stereotype stops at those two roles. It would surprise a lot of people that a father's input is extremely vital for children and their development. This is because where the role of the mother stops, the role of the father begins.

Most people would find the scene of a father and a son mowing the lawn on a hot, summer's day. What most people don't see is the intricate play of interactions that take place during such a trivial and menial task.

During such an activity, it provides the child to ask the father about why the color of the grass is green and why some turn brown after a while. It gives the chance for the child to inquire about colors and the insects passing to and fro the leaves of their garden. It gives both child and father to interact and get themselves dirty while they interact and discuss about things that may help the child in his or her development as an individual in the long run.

One example of this is when a father reads to his child. When this happens, he will be able to gain enough bonding time with his children as well as teach them that reading is a very important thing to do. This is even more important for fathers who read to their son. What this communicates is that reading is a very manly thing to do. When fathers pick up a book, whether it may be fiction or nonfiction, and their children see them reading, this gives the children the idea that it is a good thing to read.

For boys who have fathers who model reading, they will eventually realize that this is not only something normal to do but something that is worthwhile. This is one of the more subtle effects that fathers have on their children. When they are able to model the more important things in life to their children, the impact that fathers have extends even more than the rough play. They eventually equip their sons and daughters with examples that they can take with their whole lives.

The fact is, fathers have a way of showing their children what the most important thing in their life is and they do it through modeling. Whether it is by mowing their front lawn or just giving them subtle advice through reading them bedtime stories, their importance extends through the years. The good thing about it is that these are things that their children will remember throughout their lives even until their old age.