The author reviews more recent theoretical formulations about the crucial role of the father in preparing the child to cope with the inevitable separations and losses that all human beings must learn to sustain and transcend. The specific roles of the father in the child's capacity to mature and separate are discussed, including the "mothering" and "fathering" fathers offer their mates when needed. The research findings reviewed suggest that, despite the primacy of the mother-infant dyad, paternal influence has a more important role in early development than previously assumed.