Father's perception of the role of fathers on the socio-emotional wellbeing of their children aged 6-8 years

Abstract

The most significant people in a child's life are their parents. The development of a child is completed with the involvement of both fathers and mothers. Many emerging nations have realized that fathers play a significant role in the whole development of their children, not just in terms of their physical well-being. In order to succeed in every aspect of life, children's socioeconomic wellness is just as crucial as their physical health. Many studies have been conducted worldwide to demonstrate and clarify the contribution fathers make to their offspring's socioemotional wellbeing. Though it is still uncommon for fathers to be involved in their children's socioemotional wellbeing in Bangladesh due to cultural barriers and a lack of information and awareness, it is now imperative to evaluate the current norms. In the current study, fathers' perspectives on the significance of their involvement in children's socioemotional wellbeing between the ages of 6 and 8 were examined. Since it was a qualitative study, information was gathered using two different techniques: focus groups and in-depth interviews by using an unstructured questionnaire. Sixteen highly educated middle-class fathers with children ages 6 to 8 were selected from Dhaka city. Data were gathered via a digital medium, such as Zoom or WhatsApp. It is evident from the analyzed data that, practically all fathers are aware of the importance of socioemotional wellbeing in a child's life. Fathers are eager to learn more about their actions, and they also want to see how the nation is aware of the importance of children’s socioemotional wellbeing and how the government is stepping in. Although there were some other approaches, certain recommendations for parents, the government, and NGOs were made based on the overall findings.