New research suggests that a father’s early involvement and caregiving behaviours may have a significant impact on children’s long-term health. Our Safe Families program strives to do exactly that. It supports parents and caregivers in practicing positive parenting and raising children without violence but with care and love. Learn more about it in this blog.
New research suggests that a father’s early involvement and caregiving behaviours may have a significant impact on children’s long-term health, highlighting the importance of engaged and positive fatherhood.
The study, conducted by researchers at Pennsylvania State University, United States, shows that children whose fathers demonstrate warmth, sensitivity, and responsiveness early in life are more likely to have better physical health outcomes later in life. Children of less engaged fathers were more likely to show signs of poor heart and metabolic health, including inflammation and elevated blood sugar levels.
While traditionally more attention has been paid to the role of mothers, the findings highlight that fathers also play a critical role in shaping children’s wellbeing.
“In Ukraine, where families are living under the ongoing stress of war, strengthening positive parenting practices is more critical than ever. Save the Children, together with local partners and with support from the European Union, is implementing its Safe Families programme, which promotes non-violent parenting and helps build strong, supportive family relationships.” – says Sonia Khush, Save the Children Ukraine Country Director.
“Safe Families” is a program that supports parents and caregivers in practicing positive parenting and raising children without violence but with care and love, while helping children develop life skills, distinguish risks, and understand how to protect themselves. The programme provides structured sessions for parents focused on communication, stress management, and understanding children’s needs at different stages of development. Fathers and mothers are encouraged to actively engage with their children, helping to foster trust, emotional connection, and a sense of safety while building positive family relationships based on cooperation and respect.
“I became more balanced, I don’t shout anymore. This knowledge brings stability. Especially since the team [of facilitators] here is good — they teach how things should be in a family. The facilitators told a lot of interesting things — how to behave with children, how to manage aggression. Many nuances that no one would tell you at home.” – says Andrii*, 43, sole father of 3 children.
Artem*, 13, and his father Andrii*, 43, participate in Safe families programme session in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. Ihor Zolotukhin / Save the Children
Joint sessions between parents and children help strengthen mutual understanding and rebuild connections that may be strained due to war and displacement.
“[After the Safe Families sessions, my dad] became kinder, and helps more. He helps with homework, or when I feel sad. He can hug, kiss, stroke me.” – shares Artem*, 13, Andrii`s* son.
“A child feels better when the father treats them with care and respect. And when a father who previously showed little emotional warmth starts doing this, the child begins to feel important. Their self-esteem grows, they become more confident and feel loved” – Tetiana*, Safe Families facilitator of Save the Children partner Slavic Heart.
The Safe families programme has been implemented in Ukraine with 2 local organizations – Slavic Heart and Bilozerskyi Regional Development Center in frontline regions with support from the European Union. Over the latest project cycle, the programme reached 280 women, 32 men and 323 children. Facilitators note that fathers are not the majority of participants, as many men are currently on the frontline. However, those who do join the sessions show strong engagement and involvement.
“The fathers who come to us are mostly those who have been left without their wives and are the sole caregivers in their families. [Men who come to the sessions] also feel support from women. And they can somehow relax. We create such a trusting and supportive atmosphere that they enjoy being among us. They receive support from the whole group. They are valued, and they feel it.” – Tetiana*, Safe Families facilitator of Save the Children partner Slavic Heart.
At the community level, the programme includes awareness-raising activities focused on preventing violence, promoting positive and non-violent parenting, and protecting children’s rights. In addition, the Safe Families programme strengthens coordination with key stakeholders, including social services and service providers, to ensure more comprehensive and sustainable support systems for children and families.
Overall, the programme aims to improve family relationships, strengthen child wellbeing, and support safer environments for children affected by crisis.
Save the Children has been working in Ukraine since 2014 and has scaled up operations since the war escalated in February 2022 and now has a team of about 210 staff based in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Dnipro. Working with more than 25 partners, the organisation has provided support to more than 4.7 million people, including around 1.9 million children.
