Some characteristics that help fathers serve as a positive role model include the following: He is an honest and responsible person; he takes care of the family; he is a respected person in the family and in the community; he is physically present during the growing years of the child. Children who have more of positive role model of the father will grow up as adolescents and adults who are courageous, confident, and secure.
Characteristics that promote a negative role model of the father include the following: He is frequently absent from the life of the child. Even when he is present he is irresponsible, often has problems with alcohol; is rude and arrogant towards others; belittles and punishes; often quarrels with wife; is dishonest or unfaithful.
When a candidate complained of any of the various types of fears such as fear of ghosts, darkness, snakes, devils, dead bodies, thunder and lightning, loud noise etc, it was often observed that as a child she or he had the experience of a negative father. Nearly 50 percent of the candidates that one of us (Varkey) worked with had a negative role model of the father in childhood. During formation these candidates were seen to be insecure, fearful, lacking in confidence, and given to various unwarranted anxieties.