[The contribution of fathers to the individuation process in adolescence]

Numerous studies have shown fathers to be less engaged and less involved with their children and adolescents. This paper discusses the possible function that fathers' lower involvement may play in the development of their children. Data from two studies conducted on adolescents show that on the one hand fathers spend less time and are less engaged with their adolescents, but when they are together, the nature of their interaction is distinctive. For example, fathers are more engaged in play-like activities. This apparently distant and distinctive model is what adolescents need at this period of separation--a model of a "close enough" parent that allows and respects separation and support strivings for individuation. As results show, adolescents are satisfied with the role fathers play in their lives. Moreover, fathers are perceived as models for subsequent developmental goals such as marital life. It is suggested that fathers in their natural attitude are more capable of balancing closeness and separateness than mothers do and as such they are more flexible in response to varying developmental goals of their adolescent offspring.