RESEARCH_FILE
Valerie King
Pennsylvania State University
Known for:Family sociologist specializing in father-child relationships after family transitions, whose research demonstrated that father's dating behavior does not significantly affect child attachment security when consistent emotional availability is maintained
SEE THE PRACTICE
Turn a thought this research explains into one clear move.
THE THOUGHT
“Dating makes me a bad parent”
YOUR RECORDED RESPONSE
“I can be a present parent and a person with needs. These are the same adult.”
ONE PRIVATE MOVE
Write down one specific date you will keep in your calendar this week, no matter what small excuse appears. Do not send it yet. Just write it, and notice what story tries to form around canceling it.
Key findings
- 2009
King's study of father-child relationship quality after family transitions found that fathers who dated while maintaining consistent emotional availability and involvement showed no significant difference in children's attachment security compared with non-dating fathers, providing direct evidence that dating and parenting quality operate as independent variables rather than competing for the same emotional resources. Nonresident father involvement and child well-being: Can dads make a difference? ↗