Briefing Paper 604 – The Importance of Fathers by Lois Law
Fathers play a critical role in the development and well-being of their children and have a lasting impact on their lives. However, there is no typical father in South Africa and the term father does not solely apply to biological relationships. There are social fathers, who in providing care and emotional support as well as teaching important life skills, are the father-figure in a child’s life.1