The Circle of Security illustrates fundamental relationship dynamics in caregiver-child attachments. In a secure attachment relationship the parent acts as both a secure base and a save haven for the child, allowing the child to explore the world and develop self-reliance with the knowledge that the parent will provide comfort and protection when needed.

What challenges do children face and what needs do they have at different times in their lives? And what role can fathers play? To answer this question, Dollahite and Hawkins (1998) developed the Generative Fathering Framework: