Father turns to a boy for protection (5)
I believe the answer is:
apron
'for protection' is the definition.
(protective garment)
'father turns to a boy' is the wordplay.
'father' becomes 'pa' (pa can mean dad or father).
'turns' is a reversal indicator.
'to a boy' becomes 'ron' (short for Ronald).
'pa' backwards is 'ap'.
'ap'+'ron'='APRON'
(Other definitions for apron that I've seen before include "standing" , "edge" , "Kitchen protector" , "Type of stage; pinny" , "Airport area for manoeuvring and loading planes" .)