In the entire animal kingdom, there are very little cases in which the males of the species take care of their young together with the mothers. In fact, in most of them, the females have to protect the offspring from males who want to eat them or kill them, because they perceive them as threats. Humans are among the few species that take care of their young, and we do so with so much efficiency, that anthropologists believe this behavior may have even helped us evolve as a species.

According to a growing number of experts, human children may need their fathers to play an active role in their lives, and to teach them how to gain emotional self-control, as well as how to navigate intricate social networks. Although this may seem like the mother's role, researchers assure that the role is more divided than first thought. That is to say, the fathers' roles are not all about “Man the Hunter,” as in providing food and ensuring the security of their family.

New evidence seems to suggest that the emotional and psychological health of infants is directly correlated with the amount of time they spend with their fathers. Clear differences were noticed among children raised by a single mother, and those in whose lives their fathers were more involved. Anthropologists say that one of the main reasons men are so important in their kids' lives is because they take a different approach to rearing them than mothers do.

That is to say, while women tend to be more compassionate, and generally calmer, the men take a much tougher approach. At times, they prefer making children tense, and then, just when they are about to snap, they calm them down. While this may seem out of line at times with the mothers, researchers ensure it is for the best. The children learn to control themselves and their emotions, a trait that would come in very useful when they grow. Those who are only raised by mothers tend to be a little more emotive, which in turn could mean poor self-control.