This Father’s Day, new research and global conversations are bringing fresh attention to the evolving role of fathers, challenging old paradigms that equate presence with true parenting impact. Drawing inspiration from a recent opinion piece in The Atlantic titled “Being a Dad Is About More Than Being Around,” experts and data reveal that what children remember most about their fathers isn’t always the number of games attended or hours logged at home, but the enduring values modeled and the quality of engagement that shape character, confidence, and even future relationships.
In the era where Thai families are navigating rapid social change—from rising rates of dual-income households to shifting expectations around gender and work-life balance—understanding the true markers of fatherly influence has never been more relevant. The latest international and local research uncovers that it is not enough to simply “be around”: what matters more is the lived example fathers set, their emotional accessibility, and how they fully participate in the invisible work of building character in their children.
Several in-depth psychology studies gathered by PsyPost and summarized in their recent feature, “9 psychology studies that reveal the powerful role of fathers in shaping lives,” paint a holistic picture. Fathers play underestimated, yet vital, roles in fostering cognitive and emotional development. For instance, the emotional warmth of a father is strongly linked to sons’ ideas about relationships and commitment patterns in adulthood—outcomes that go well beyond daily logistics or financial support. This research underscores that the quality of paternal involvement, not just visible acts, creates a “relational template” passed from father to child and eventually, to future generations.
One standout finding is that fathers’ emotional engagement—such as sharing genuine interest in a child’s thoughts, demonstrating humility under pressure, and providing a consistent, principled model—can have a decisive impact on a child’s self-esteem, academic performance, and social-emotional balance. In fact, data show that strong father-child bonds are tied to lower math anxiety, improved prosocial behavior, and reduced risk of negative patterns like muscle dysmorphia in boys or risky sexual behavior in adolescents PsyPost.
What makes these findings especially pertinent for Thailand is the country’s tradition of multigenerational households, where fathers and male relatives may not always be physically present due to work migration, military service, or business responsibilities. Nevertheless, as articulated by the Atlantic article’s author, who remembered his own father’s absence during pivotal childhood years, it was the internalized lessons—courage, humility, consistency—that proved most formative. This echoes in Thai Buddhist teachings as well, where the “father’s path” is not measured solely in material provision, but also in shaping children’s inner moral compass.
Interestingly, modern shifts in family structure and workplace patterns are increasing the opportunities for Thai fathers to be more directly involved. A 2025 New York Times analysis found that post-pandemic, fathers globally are spending 1.2 to 2.5 hours more per week on childrearing than in the years before COVID-19, with younger, millennial dads leading in this trend (The New York Times). This is consistent with changes seen in Bangkok and urban Thailand, where more flexible work arrangements and changing cultural expectations are enabling dads to play an active day-to-day role.
Yet, presence alone is not a panacea. Research published by Rutgers Health in April 2025 warns that paternal mental health is a crucial but often neglected factor. When fathers struggle with depression—whether recognized or not—it can have lasting negative impacts on children’s school behavior and social skills. The American Journal of Preventive Medicine study found that depressive symptoms in fathers of kindergartners predicted restlessness, lower cooperation, and poor self-esteem in those children even four years later (ScienceDaily). This highlights the urgent need for Thai pediatricians and policymakers to include father-focused mental health interventions as part of family well-being strategies.
Thai educators and child psychologists are already seeing evidence of these dynamics at work. A Bangkok-based pediatrician specializing in family medicine (name withheld in accordance with Bangkok Post reporting protocols) observes, “It’s no longer enough to measure a father’s involvement by whether he lives at home or earns a salary. We see children flourish when their fathers model self-discipline, kindness, and perseverance—these children tend to have higher emotional resilience and stronger bonds with peers.”
For families faced with long separations, such as in the case of fathers working offshore or abroad, the lesson is not all bleak. Community-based studies from PubMed indicate that stepfathers or grandfathers who participate actively—even for limited periods—can offer vital emotional and practical support if they create shared, everyday experiences with children (PubMed). Therefore, Thai extended families can leverage their unique structure to ensure father figures remain present, not just physically, but also as enduring sources of guidance and character.
Modern fatherhood, though, is not about reverting to any single ideal. As described by social researchers and in family magazines like Enfants d’Azur’s “The Evolving Role of Fathers: Modern Fatherhood in 2025,” the key is flexibility and openness to change. Fathers today are learning that small, consistent acts—like reading bedtime stories, talking about their day, or sharing a hobby—can leave as deep an impression as the grand moments. And in Thailand, where formal paternity leave is still in its infancy compared to Europe, there is great potential for both employers and policymakers to encourage more active fathering through supportive workplace policies.
Analysis of the latest local and global statistics emphasizes that benefits ripple far beyond the child: when fathers are more emotionally and practically engaged, mothers report lower stress, families become more balanced, and fathers themselves are less prone to depression or burnout. These findings are echoed in rural areas as well, where even modest increases in paternal involvement positively shape developmental outcomes for children (PsyPost).
There are, of course, challenges—particularly in addressing entrenched gender roles in both urban and rural Thai society. In family courts, social services, and even temple teachings, the image of the “distant provider” father persists. Open dialogue around men’s mental health, emotional intelligence, and co-parenting is only beginning to take hold, with forward-thinking schools and parenting groups leading the way.
What might the future hold? With the continued global dialogue about gender, equality, and parenting, Thailand is well poised to learn from both research insights and its own cultural resources. Schools should be encouraged to involve fathers more actively in education and extracurriculars. Government and employers can offer incentives, flexible leave, and mental health support specifically tailored to fathers. And for everyday families, there is wisdom in aiming for authenticity, consistency, and presence—not perfection.
For Thai parents seeking practical steps:
- Fathers can begin by intentionally modeling key values—such as respect, perseverance, and kindness—in both words and actions.
- Taking small but regular part in routines, from school pickups to dinner conversations, can create strong emotional bonds.
- Seek mental health support where needed; acknowledging and treating depression in fathers is critical for the whole family’s well-being.
- Engage in open, age-appropriate communication with children about both struggles and successes, showing how to adapt to challenges.
- Leverage extended family—grandfathers, uncles, and community figures—to fill gaps and reinforce positive fathering when physical distance is unavoidable.
Ultimately, as The Atlantic’s recent reflection affirms, the most crucial gift a father can offer is the example of a life lived with honesty, strength, and humility—lessons that endure well beyond presence or absence. As Thai society continues to evolve, integrating these research-backed insights into daily family life and national policy will help cultivate future generations of resilient, compassionate, and principled young people.
If you want to learn more about strengthening father-child relationships or need support as a parent, explore local initiatives like the Thai Health Promotion Foundation’s family programs, join community parenting workshops, and don’t hesitate to start honest conversations in your own home. Building strong families and nurturing future leaders begins with what we do—and who we choose to be—every single day.
Sources:
- Being a Dad Is About More Than Being Around – The Atlantic
- 9 psychology studies that reveal the powerful role of fathers in shaping lives – PsyPost
- Father’s mental health can impact children for years – ScienceDaily
- The Evolving Role of Fathers: Modern Fatherhood in 2025 – Enfants d’Azur
- Dads Are Spending More Time With Their Kids Post-Pandemic – The New York Times
- PubMed: Fatherhood Influence and Child Development