44-421: A father is the male parent of a child . Besides the paternal bonds of a father to his children, the father may have a parental, legal, and social relationship with the child that carries with it certain rights and obligations. A biological father is the male genetic contributor to the creation of the infant , through sexual intercourse or sperm donation . A biological father may have legal obligations to
88-461: A non-paternity event , bringing up a child they wrongly believe to be their biological offspring . In almost all cultures fathers are regarded as secondary caregivers. This perception is slowly changing with more and more fathers becoming primary caregivers, while mothers go to work, or in single parenting situations and male same-sex parenting couples. In the West, the image of the married father as
132-495: A sexual system called androdioecy . They can also coexist with females and hermaphrodites, a sexual system called trioecy . The sex of a particular organism may be determined by a number of factors. These may be genetic or environmental, or may naturally change during the course of an organism's life. Although most species have only two sexes (either male or female), hermaphroditic animals, such as worms , have both male and female reproductive organs. Not all species share
176-429: A child not raised by him, such as an obligation of monetary support. An adoptive father is a man who has become the child's parent through the legal process of adoption . A putative father is a man whose biological relationship to a child is alleged but has not been established. A stepfather is a non-biological male parent married to a child's preexisting parent and may form a family unit but generally does not have
220-404: A child's social stability, educational achievement, and their potential to have a solid marriage as an adult. Their children may also be more curious about the world around them and develop greater problem-solving skills. Children who were raised with fathers perceive themselves to be more cognitively and physically competent than their peers without a father. Mothers raising children together with
264-455: A common sex-determination system . In most animals , including humans , sex is determined genetically ; however, species such as Cymothoa exigua change sex depending on the number of females present in the vicinity. Most mammals , including humans , are genetically determined as such by the XY sex-determination system where males have XY (as opposed to XX in females) sex chromosomes . It
308-416: A father reported less severe disputes with their child. The father-figure is not always a child's biological father, and some children will have a biological father as well as a step- or nurturing father. When a child is conceived through sperm donation, the donor will be the "biological father" of the child. Fatherhood as legitimate identity can be dependent on domestic factors and behaviors. For example,
352-468: A father. Mothers raising children together with a father reported less severe disputes with their child. The father-figure is not always a child's biological father, and some children will have a biological father as well as a step- or nurturing father. When a child is conceived through sperm donation, the donor will be the "biological father" of the child. Fatherhood as legitimate identity can be dependent on domestic factors and behaviors. For example,
396-454: A few species. Anisogamy appears to have evolved multiple times from isogamy; for example, female Volvocales (a type of green algae) evolved from the plus mating type. Although sexual evolution emerged at least 1.2 billion years ago, the lack of anisogamous fossil records make it hard to pinpoint when males evolved. One theory suggests male evolved from the dominant mating type (called mating type minus). A common symbol used to represent
440-496: A role in reducing behavior and psychological problems in young adults. An increased amount of father–child involvement may help increase a child's social stability, educational achievement, and their potential to have a solid marriage as an adult. Their children may also be more curious about the world around them and develop greater problem-solving skills. Children who were raised with fathers perceive themselves to be more cognitively and physically competent than their peers without
484-477: A study of the relationship between fathers, their sons, and home computers found that the construction of fatherhood and masculinity required that fathers display computer expertise. Roman law defined fatherhood as "Mater semper certa; pater est quem nuptiae demonstrant" ("The [identity of the] mother is always certain; the father is whom the marriage vows indicate"). The recent emergence of accurate scientific testing, particularly DNA testing , has resulted in
SECTION 10
#1732764688628528-476: A study of the relationship between fathers, their sons, and home computers found that the construction of fatherhood and masculinity required that fathers display computer expertise. Roman law defined fatherhood as "Mater semper certa; pater est quem nuptiae demonstrant" ("The [identity of the] mother is always certain; the father is whom the marriage vows indicate"). The recent emergence of accurate scientific testing, particularly DNA testing , has resulted in
572-418: A way of displaying traits that signify their fitness . Sexual selection is believed to be the driving force behind the development of these characteristics. Differences in physical size and the ability to fulfill the requirements of sexual selection have contributed significantly to the outcome of secondary sex characteristics in each species. In many species, males differ from females in more ways than just
616-403: Is a man who has become the child's parent through the legal process of adoption . A putative father is a man whose biological relationship to a child is alleged but has not been established. A stepfather is a non-biological male parent married to a child's preexisting parent and may form a family unit but generally does not have the legal rights and responsibilities of a parent in relation to
660-462: Is also possible in a variety of species, including humans, to be XX male or have other karyotypes . During reproduction , a male can give either an X sperm or a Y sperm, while a female can only give an X egg. A Y sperm and an X egg produce a male, while an X sperm and an X egg produce a female . The part of the Y-chromosome which is responsible for maleness is the sex-determining region of
704-400: Is paid in more than half of European Union countries. In the case of male same-sex couples the law often makes no provision for either one or both fathers to take paternity leave. Fathers' rights movements such as Fathers 4 Justice argue that family courts are biased against fathers. Child support is an ongoing periodic payment made by one parent to the other; it is normally paid by
748-510: Is paid in more than half of European Union countries. In the case of male same-sex couples the law often makes no provision for either one or both fathers to take paternity leave. Fathers' rights movements such as Fathers 4 Justice argue that family courts are biased against fathers. Child support is an ongoing periodic payment made by one parent to the other; it is normally paid by the parent who does not have custody. An estimated 2% of British fathers experiences paternity fraud during
792-423: Is sexual reproduction in isogamous species with two or more mating types with gametes of identical form and behavior (but different at the molecular level) to anisogamous species with gametes of male and female types to oogamous species in which the female gamete is very much larger than the male and has no ability to move. There is a good argument that this pattern was driven by the physical constraints on
836-600: Is sometimes referred to as a father-figure . The paternity rights of a father with regard to his children differ widely from country to country often reflecting the level of involvement and roles expected by that society. Unlike motherhood , fatherhood is not mentioned in Universal Declaration of Human Rights . Parental leave is when a father takes time off to support his newly born or adopted baby. Paid paternity leave first began in Sweden in 1976, and
880-474: Is sometimes referred to as a father-figure . The paternity rights of a father with regard to his children differ widely from country to country often reflecting the level of involvement and roles expected by that society. Unlike motherhood , fatherhood is not mentioned in Universal Declaration of Human Rights . Parental leave is when a father takes time off to support his newly born or adopted baby. Paid paternity leave first began in Sweden in 1976, and
924-424: Is the sex of an organism that produces the gamete (sex cell) known as sperm , which fuses with the larger female gamete, or ovum , in the process of fertilisation . A male organism cannot reproduce sexually without access to at least one ovum from a female, but some organisms can reproduce both sexually and asexually . Most male mammals , including male humans, have a Y chromosome , which codes for
SECTION 20
#1732764688628968-399: Is the fathers who take care of the young. Many species, though, display little or no paternal role in caring for offspring. The male leaves the female soon after mating and long before any offspring are born. It is the females who must do all the work of caring for the young. Finally, in some species neither the father nor the mother provides any care. Male Male ( symbol : ♂ )
1012-403: Is true for many species of birds where the male displays more vibrant colors than the female, making them more noticeable to potential mates. These characteristics have evolved over time as a result of sexual selection, as males who exhibited these traits were more successful in attracting mates and passing on their genes. Fatherhood A father is the male parent of a child . Besides
1056-422: The family law relating to fatherhood experiencing rapid changes. Many male animals do not participate in the rearing of their young. The development of human men as creatures which are involved in their offspring's upbringing took place during the stone age. In medieval and most of modern European history, caring for children was predominantly the domain of mothers, whereas fathers in many societies provide for
1100-421: The family law relating to fatherhood experiencing rapid changes. Many male animals do not participate in the rearing of their young. The development of human men as creatures which are involved in their offspring's upbringing took place during the stone age. In medieval and most of modern European history, caring for children was predominantly the domain of mothers, whereas fathers in many societies provide for
1144-464: The West, the image of the married father as the primary wage-earner is changing. The social context of fatherhood plays an important part in the well-being of men and their children. In the United States 16% of single parents were men as of 2013. Involved fathers offer developmentally specific provisions to their children and are impacted themselves by doing so. Active father figures may play
1188-653: The Y-chromosome, the SRY . The SRY activates Sox9 , which forms feedforward loops with FGF9 and PGD 2 in the gonads , allowing the levels of these genes to stay high enough in order to cause male development; for example, Fgf9 is responsible for development of the spermatic cords and the multiplication of Sertoli cells , both of which are crucial to male sexual development. The ZW sex-determination system , where males have ZZ (as opposed to ZW in females) sex chromosomes, may be found in birds and some insects (mostly butterflies and moths ) and other organisms. Members of
1232-529: The child. The adjective "paternal" refers to a father and comparatively to "maternal" for a mother . The verb "to father" means to procreate or to sire a child from which also derives the noun "fathering". Biological fathers determine the sex of their child through a sperm cell which either contains an X chromosome (female), or Y chromosome (male). Related terms of endearment are dad ( dada , daddy ), baba, papa , pappa , papasita, ( pa , pap ) and pop . A male role model that children can look up to
1276-630: The context of gender , such as for gender role or gender identity of a man or boy . For example, according to Merriam-Webster, "male" can refer to "having a gender identity that is the opposite of female". According to the Cambridge Dictionary, "male" can mean "belonging or relating to men". Male can also refer to a shape of connectors . Species that are divided into females and males are classified as gonochoric in animals, as dioecious in seed plants and as dioicous in cryptogams . Males can coexist with hermaphrodites,
1320-425: The dominant individual in a group becomes female while the other ones are male. In many arthropods , sex is determined by infection with parasitic , endosymbiotic bacteria of the genus Wolbachia . The bacterium can only be transmitted via infected ova, and the presence of the obligate endoparasite may be required for female sexual viability. Male animals have evolved to use secondary sex characteristics as
1364-690: The family as a whole. Since the 1950s, social scientists and feminists have increasingly challenged gender roles in Western countries, including that of the male breadwinner. Policies are increasingly targeting fatherhood as a tool of changing gender relations. Research from various societies suggest that since the middle of the 20th century fathers have become increasingly involved in the care of their children. In early human history there have been notable instances of patricide . For example: In more contemporary history there have also been instances of father–offspring conflicts, such as: For some animals, it
Father - Misplaced Pages Continue
1408-630: The family as a whole. Since the 1950s, social scientists and feminists have increasingly challenged gender roles in Western countries, including that of the male breadwinner. Policies are increasingly targeting fatherhood as a tool of changing gender relations. Research from various societies suggest that since the middle of the 20th century fathers have become increasingly involved in the care of their children. In early human history there have been notable instances of patricide . For example: In more contemporary history there have also been instances of father–offspring conflicts, such as: For some animals, it
1452-400: The female and male gamete-producing organisms and structures but also the structures of the sporophytes that give rise to male and female plants. The evolution of anisogamy led to the evolution of male and female function. Before the evolution of anisogamy, mating types in a species were isogamous : the same size and both could move, catalogued only as "+" or "-" types. In anisogamy,
1496-479: The historical evidence favours "the conclusion of the French classical scholar Claude de Saumaise (Salmasius, 1588–1683)" that it is derived from θρ , the contraction of a Greek name for the planet Mars, which is Thouros . Borrowed from Old French masle , from Latin masculus ("masculine, male, worthy of a man"), diminutive of mās ("male person or animal, male"). In humans, the word male can be used in
1540-529: The insect order Hymenoptera , such as ants and bees , are often determined by haplodiploidy , where most males are haploid and females and some sterile males are diploid . However, fertile diploid males may still appear in some species, such as Cataglyphis cursor . In some species of reptiles, such as alligators , sex is determined by the temperature at which the egg is incubated. Other species, such as some snails , practice sex change: adults start out male, then become female. In tropical clown fish ,
1584-593: The legal rights and responsibilities of a parent in relation to the child. The adjective "paternal" refers to a father and comparatively to "maternal" for a mother . The verb "to father" means to procreate or to sire a child from which also derives the noun "fathering". Biological fathers determine the sex of their child through a sperm cell which either contains an X chromosome (female), or Y chromosome (male). Related terms of endearment are dad ( dada , daddy ), baba, papa , pappa , papasita, ( pa , pap ) and pop . A male role model that children can look up to
1628-522: The male sex is the Mars symbol ♂, a circle with an arrow pointing northeast . The Unicode code-point is: The symbol is identical to the planetary symbol of Mars . It was first used to denote sex by Carl Linnaeus in 1751. The symbol is sometimes seen as a stylized representation of the shield and spear of the Roman god Mars . According to William T. Stearn , however, this derivation is "fanciful" and all
1672-494: The mating type is called a gamete. The male gamete is smaller than the female gamete, and usually mobile. Anisogamy remains poorly understood, as there is no fossil record of its emergence. Numerous theories exist as to why anisogamy emerged. Many share a common thread, in that larger female gametes are more likely to survive, and that smaller male gametes are more likely to find other gametes because they can travel faster. Current models often fail to account for why isogamy remains in
1716-560: The mechanisms by which two gametes get together as required for sexual reproduction . Accordingly, sex is defined across species by the type of gametes produced (i.e.: spermatozoa vs. ova) and differences between males and females in one lineage are not always predictive of differences in another. Male/female dimorphism between organisms or reproductive organs of different sexes is not limited to animals; male gametes are produced by chytrids , diatoms and land plants , among others. In land plants, female and male designate not only
1760-479: The parent who does not have custody. An estimated 2% of British fathers experiences paternity fraud during a non-paternity event , bringing up a child they wrongly believe to be their biological offspring . In almost all cultures fathers are regarded as secondary caregivers. This perception is slowly changing with more and more fathers becoming primary caregivers, while mothers go to work, or in single parenting situations and male same-sex parenting couples. In
1804-455: The paternal bonds of a father to his children, the father may have a parental, legal, and social relationship with the child that carries with it certain rights and obligations. A biological father is the male genetic contributor to the creation of the infant , through sexual intercourse or sperm donation . A biological father may have legal obligations to a child not raised by him, such as an obligation of monetary support. An adoptive father
Father - Misplaced Pages Continue
1848-493: The primary wage-earner is changing. The social context of fatherhood plays an important part in the well-being of men and their children. In the United States 16% of single parents were men as of 2013. Involved fathers offer developmentally specific provisions to their children and are impacted themselves by doing so. Active father figures may play a role in reducing behavior and psychological problems in young adults. An increased amount of father–child involvement may help increase
1892-467: The production of larger amounts of testosterone to develop male reproductive organs . In humans, the word male can also be used to refer to gender , in the social sense of gender role or gender identity . The use of "male" in regard to sex and gender has been subject to discussion . The existence of separate sexes has evolved independently at different times and in different lineages , an example of convergent evolution . The repeated pattern
1936-572: The production of sperm. For example, in some insects and fish, the male is smaller than the female. In seed plants, the sporophyte sex organ of a single organism includes both the male and female parts. In mammals, including humans, males are typically larger than females. This is often attributed to the need for male mammals to be physically stronger and more competitive in order to win mating opportunities. In humans specifically, males have more body hair and muscle mass than females. Birds often exhibit colorful plumage that attracts females. This
#627372