What is "father figure"

alt. One who represents, behaves as, or regarded as equivalent to a father for another person or group of people. n. One who represents, behaves as, or regarded as equivalent to a father for another person or group of people.

n. a man who takes over all the functions of the real father [syn: father surrogate]

"Father Figure" is a U.S. number-one hit song written and performed by George Michael and released on Columbia Records in 1988 as the third single from his debut album Faith.

A father figure is usually an older man, normally one with power, authority, or strength, with whom one can identify on a deeply psychological level and who generates emotions generally felt towards one's father. Despite the literal term "father figure", the role of a father figure is not limited to the biological parent of a person (especially a child), but may be played by uncles, grandfathers, elder brothers, family friends, or others.

Several studies have suggested that positive father figures (whether biological or not) are generally associated with healthy child development, both in boys and in girls.

Father Figure is a British comedy television series that was first broadcast on BBC One on 18 September 2013. In Ireland the series first aired on RTÉ Two in September 2013. The six-part series was written by Jason Byrne and directed by Nick Wood.

Father figure is a psychology term.

Father Figure may also refer to:

• "Father Figure" (song), a 1987 song written and performed by George Michael
• Father Figure (TV series), a comedy television series first broadcast in 2013