Persistence is taught by the father, says study from Brigham Young University

Just in time for Father's Day, a new study from Brigham Young University shows that persistence is a trait taught by the father.

Researchers analyzed over 300 families and found that mildly authoritative fathers were more likely to have children that showed characteristics of persistence like better outcomes in school and less delinquency.

According to ABC News, the study tracked fathers and children between the ages of 11 and 14 with questionnaires over a four-year period.

Fathers that focused on feelings of love, giving the child autonomy, but also believing that the child should be accountable for their behaviour, raised children to be more persistent and more responsible.

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Dads who were too authoritarian and focused on punishment-based parenting had less persistent children, reported the Atlantic.

"There are relatively few studies that highlight the unique role of fathers," said study co-author Laura Padilla-Walker, a professor at Brigham Young University's School of Family Life, reported Medical Daily.

"This research also helps to establish that traits such as persistence — which can be taught — are key to a child's life success."

HealthDay reported that the study only included two-parent families but researchers suggested that a single-parent may also be able to teach these traits.

The study was published in the Journal of Early Adolescence.