Do Daughters Like Their Fathers More? The Truth Behind the Bond

The Psychology of Father-Daughter Attachment

There’s this old saying, right? "Daddy’s little girl." And yeah, it exists for a reason. Psychologically speaking, daughters often form a unique emotional bond with their fathers. But does that mean they “like” them more than their mothers? Hmm... it’s more nuanced than that.

Early childhood imprinting

In developmental psychology, fathers tend to represent safety, support, and identity for many daughters. From the age of 2-5, girls often model aspects of their behavior and worldview through their primary male role model — often dad.

And let’s be real, many dads soften up more around daughters than sons. (I’ve seen it firsthand — my tough-as-nails uncle becomes literal mush around his 6-year-old.)

Protective vs nurturing roles

Mothers typically play the primary nurturing role, while fathers are often viewed (culturally, at least) as protectors. That protector vibe can lead to admiration, especially when a father is emotionally present and involved, not just physically around.

But of course, it's not universal. Some daughters bond way more with their mothers — especially in households where mom was the emotional anchor.

Do Daughters Favor Their Fathers Over Mothers?

Emotional comfort and ease of expression

Some daughters claim they feel “safer” emotionally with their dads — less judged, less compared. There’s a theory in family therapy that because mothers and daughters share more overlapping roles, they may also clash more (especially in teen years).

So yes, some girls do feel more relaxed around their dads, but that doesn't always equal deeper affection — sometimes it’s just different dynamics.

Influence of adolescence

Oh boy, puberty. It changes a lot.

• Some daughters pull away from mom due to boundary-setting or identity-building

• Others move closer to mom because of shared experiences (like, y’know, periods, mood swings, social anxiety)

• Dads? They can become a safe emotional island when teen tensions run high

But again — and I can't stress this enough — this totally depends on family structure, culture, communication, and even birth order.

Cultural and Social Layers to Consider

Gender norms shape expectations

In many societies, daughters are taught to admire or idealize their fathers. He’s the first male presence in her life, and that can set subconscious standards for future partners (yep, the whole “dating someone like dad” theory).

But on the flip side, these expectations can lead to idealization that isn’t always healthy. If a father is absent, emotionally unavailable, or overly strict, it can mess with a daughter’s self-worth and relationship blueprints.

The role of single parenting

Let’s not forget this: in single-mom households, the daughter-mother bond is often deeper and stronger because of shared struggle, collaboration, and constant presence. Same goes for single dads — daughters might become super close out of necessity and mutual support.

Science vs Sentiment: What Do Studies Say?

Okay, let’s get nerdy for a sec.

• A 2017 study in Behavioral Neuroscience showed that fathers of daughters were more attentive and responsive to their child’s emotional needs than fathers of sons

• Another study found daughters raised with supportive dads had higher self-esteem and lower rates of anxiety

• But... research also shows that the mother-child bond is biologically stronger in the early years due to oxytocin and attachment behaviors

So, in short: fathers tend to influence confidence and identity, while mothers often shape emotional regulation and empathy. It's not better or worse — just different.

Real-Life Moments (Anecdotes Always Win)

I remember my friend Sarah telling me, half-laughing: “My mom raised me, but my dad’s the one I call when my car breaks down or when I just need someone to say ‘you got this.’”

That kind of bond — practical but emotionally supportive — is super common.

But I’ve also seen daughters break down in their mothers’ arms over heartbreak, feeling like no one else “gets it” like mom does.

Conclusion: It’s Not About “More,” It’s About “Different”

• Do daughters like their fathers more? Sometimes, yeah — especially when dads show up emotionally and consistently

• But that doesn’t mean they love their mothers less

• The bond is shaped by presence, emotional safety, and how each parent responds to their daughter’s evolving identity

So instead of ranking parental love (ugh, stressful), maybe we just acknowledge this: daughters love differently, not more — and every family writes its own story.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.