Father–child relations have received much less research attention than mother–child relations, and the best ways to measure important aspects of father–child relations remain a subject of debate. However, a sizable body of research indicates that—consistent with various theories of father–child relations—fathers make important contributions to their children's social, emotional, and cognitive development. Moreover, children influence fathers just as fathers influence children. The extent to which fathers are involved and positively engaged with their children is multiply determined by factors such as fathers' personal characteristics, family relationships, work, social networks and community, and broader social, cultural, political, and economic conditions. Father–child relations do not occur in a vacuum, and determinants, characteristics, and implications of father–child relations all need to be considered in light of culture and context.