This archive report was first published on 14 December 2019.
Published on December 14, 2019, a psychologist's insights reveal the profound impact fathers have on their sons' lives.
Fathers and sons share a unique bond, with fathers influencing their sons' growth and development. This influence is evident in the way men handle life, love, relationships, and sex.
Dr. Chris Hart, a psychologist and author, notes that boys learn essential life skills from their fathers or father figures, including how to win, compete, make decisions, be independent, and relate with women.
"There will be similarities in the way a father behaved when his son was young, and the way his son behaves as an adult. A good father will show his son how male and female behavior differs and how these two genders can have close, protective, and loving relationships," Dr. Hart says.
However, this influence can also be detrimental. For instance, a boy who grows up seeing his father hit his mother may end up as an abuser. Nelson Muchemi's story is a prime example. He witnessed his father's violent behavior towards his mother and later replicated it in his own relationships.
"My father would occasionally slap my mother to get his way in a bitter argument. Sometimes he would slap her in our presence," Nelson recalls. This behavior led to him losing two relationships due to his violent outbursts.
Fortunately, Nelson sought counseling and changed his ways. He has now been in a healthy relationship for two years.
Men also learn valuable lessons about love, sex, and relationships from their fathers. For example, world-renowned golfer Tiger Woods attributes his cheating ways to the influence of his late father Earl Woods.
