We all have different situations in regards to our relationships with our fathers, I' sure they run the gambit. Mine was ok as a kid, and is better now as an adult. My dad owned his own business (Vending Company) so he worked 6-7 days a week, 9-12 hours a day. When he was around he was tinkering with projects a lot (he is ISTP). Suffice it to say there was not a lot of extra time to go around. We are very different in most ways too, so it was hard to connect. I had two brothers close to my age, and a wonderful, sensitive, creative, do-it-all mom who kind of took up the slack.
My father was funny and loving much of the time, but could also be very impatient with us kids. I guess I always felt I wanted/needed more from him. That realization didn't come until I was out of the house though. He has tried to make up for it now by showing more concern and being there more for all of us boys. I understand where he came from back then and am not bitter or anything. It's hard work raising a family--something I know a little about. It has lead me to a different place in how I relate to my kids too. I want to be there more for them.
I do wonder if I had a different type of father, if some of my passions and talents could have lead me somewhere. He didn't like me reading all the time, and did not show interest when I was writing things early on and in HS. Can't really blame him for where those lead though, just one of those--I wonders?
Having two parents at home that you know love you makes a hug difference to a kid. Too many homes just don't have this, even if both are there. I guess my final though here is just because someone has a dad at home, doesn't always mean that it's good or helpful.