fatherhood

Being a dad

Fatherhood is the state of being a father—having a child for whom you are responsible.

The word encompasses both the biological fact and the social role: He wasn't ready for fatherhood.

Fatherhood often carries connotations of duty, provision, and guidance that go beyond mere procreation: Fatherhood changed him completely.

biological

DNA

Hereditary code molecule

genesUnits of heredity
geneticsScience of hereditary transmission
ancestryFamily line of descent

heritage · lineage · bloodline · chromosomes · inheritance · procreation · conception · offspring · descendant · progenitor

guidance

mentor

Trusted wisdom-giving advisor

wisdomGood judgment from experience
teachingProfession of instructing others
adviceGuidance on decisions

influence · discipline · example · instruction · lessons · values · encouragement · direction · counsel · leadership

nurturing

caregiving

Attending to dependents

bondingForming close connections
loveIntense fond attachment
affectionWarm emotional attachment

tenderness · patience · devotion · support · empathy · compassion · warmth · gentleness · attachment · understanding

patriarchal

patriarch

Male head of family

patrilinealTraced through fathers
paterfamiliasMale head of family
primogenitureEldest inherits all

authority · tradition · inheritance · legacy · succession · clan · dynasty · ancestral

protection

provider

One who furnishes things

guardianProtective caretaker of another
defenderOne who guards another
securityProtection from threat

shelter · safeguard · breadwinner · watchful · custodian · sanctuary · haven · vigilance · safekeeping · stability

Categories

family bondslove, parent-child bond, trust, sibling bond, loyalty
family dramafamily bonds, sibling rivalry, family reunion, kinship, family secret
Family Storiesfamily saga, mother-daughter, childhood memories, maternal bonds, kitchen talk
gender rolesgender roles, masculinity, femininity, gender stereotypes, traditional roles
familymother, parents, siblings, parent, son
parentinggentle parenting, child, mom, children, kids

Opposites

parental gender role

fatherhoodmotherhood

State of being a female parent

maternity · maternal role · maternalism

generational position

fatherhoodchildhood

Life's earliest phase

parental status

fatherhoodchildlessness

Lacking any offspring

bachelorhood · singlehood

Family

father, hood, grandfather, patron, fatherly, fathers, patronize, patronage, godfather

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G