Importance of father or father-figure
Involved fathers offer developmentally specific provisions to their children and are impacted themselves by doing so. Active father figures may play a role in reducing behavior and psychological problems in young adults. An increased amount of father–child involvement may help increase a childs social stability, educational achievement,: 5  and their potential to have a solid marriage as an adult. Their children may also be more curious about the world around them and develop greater problem solving skills. Children who were raised with fathers perceive themselves to be more cognitively and physically competent than their peers without a father. Mothers raising children together with a father reported less severe disputes with their child.The father-figure is not always a childs biological father and some children will have a biological father as well as a step- or nurturing father. When a child is conceived through sperm donation, the donor will be the "biological father" of the child. Fatherhood as legitimate identity can be dependent on domestic factors and behaviors. For example, a study of the relationship between fathers, their sons, and home computers found that the construction of fatherhood and masculinity required that fathers display computer expertise. Determination of parenthood
Roman law defined fatherhood as "Mater semper certa; pater est quem nuptiae demonstrant" ("The [identity of the] mother is always certain; the father is whom the marriage vows indicate"). The recent emergence of accurate scientific testing, particularly DNA testing, has resulted in the family law relating to fatherhood experiencing rapid changes.
Biological father –  or sometimes simply referred to as "Father" is the genetic father of a child. Posthumous father – father died before children were born (or even conceived in the case of artificial insemination). Putative father – unwed man whose legal relationship to a child has not been established but who is alleged to be or claims that he may be the biological father of a child. Sperm donor – an anonymous or known biological father who provides his sperm to be used in artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation in order to father a child for a third party female. Also used as a slang term meaning "baby daddy". Surprise father – where the men did not know that there was a child until possibly years afterward
Teenage father/youthful father –  Father who is still a teenager. Non-biological (social and legal relationship)
Adoptive father – the father who has adopted a child
Cuckolded father – where the child is the product of the mothers adulterous relationship
DI Dad – social/legal father of children produced via Donor Insemination (where a donors sperm were used to impregnate the DI Dads spouse)
Father-in-law – the father of ones spouse
Foster father – child is raised by a man who is not the biological or adoptive father usually as part of a couple. Mothers partner – assumption that current partner fills father role
Mothers husband – under some jurisdictions (e.g.