A child development expert, Adetoun Dally, has urged parents to play complementary roles in raising boys, saying balanced parenting remains essential for nurturing emotionally healthy, confident, and responsible men across society.

Ms Dally, global president of Women Community in Africa and Founder of Children Impact and Development, made the appeal on Monday in Abuja regarding family parenting responsibilities.

‎She said fathers should actively participate in raising their sons beyond providing financial support, emphasising that their physical, emotional and mental presence significantly shapes boys’ character, confidence, behaviour, and future development.

According to Ms Dally, children thrive better when both parents share parenting responsibilities, providing consistent guidance alongside a stable, peaceful home environment that supports healthy emotional, social and psychological development throughout childhood.

‎”The responsibility of raising children should not rest on one parent alone. Boys need the guidance, love and support of both their father and mother to develop confidence and emotional stability,” she said.

Ms Dally said effective cooperation between parents helps children build healthy relationships, strengthen self-esteem and embrace positive values that guide responsible decision-making and personal development into adulthood with greater confidence and resilience.

‎She urged couples to resolve disagreements through dialogue and mutual understanding, noting that a peaceful home environment promotes children’s emotional well-being while reducing stress, insecurity and other harmful effects on development.

‎The expert condemned domestic violence, warning that children who witnessed abuse at home might experience emotional and psychological trauma with lasting consequences that could extend into adulthood and affect future relationships.

‎She urged parents to carefully consider their words and actions, explaining that children observe, imitate, and remember everyday behaviour, making positive parental conduct essential for healthy character formation from early childhood.

Ms Dally advised fathers against comparing their sons with others or making harsh accusations, urging them instead to encourage, affirm and celebrate every stage of their children’s growth and personal achievements consistently.

She also urged parents to adopt a united approach to discipline, maintaining consistent values and expectations that promote mutual respect, accountability and positive behaviour while reducing confusion and conflicting messages for children.

‎Ms Dally recommended that single mothers raising boys should involve trusted, responsible male relatives or mentors who could provide positive guidance, encouragement and support where a father’s active presence is unavailable or absent.

She also urged parents to monitor the influence of peers and social media, emphasising that strong family values remain the first line of defence against harmful behaviours and negative external influences.

She said intentional parenting is critical to raising responsible children, strengthening families and fostering a more peaceful, productive society through positive values, consistent guidance and supportive home environments for future generations.

Ms Dally advised young couples to embrace counselling and parenting education, saying professional guidance can strengthen families, improve parenting skills and deliver better developmental outcomes for children throughout their formative years.

(NAN)