Bee and I are super excited to unveil our brand new blog. We are two college-age women who love families and everything that strengthens them. After reading countless research articles and books on family scholarship, we have found one thing the two of us are passionate about -- father involvement in the family. Mothers are certainly crucial and important to happy families. Fathers make equally valuable contributions as men make the choice to rise to the occasion and fulfill their potential as dads.
To start off, how about we look at some statistics?
"According to 2011 U.S. Census Bureau data, over 24 million children live apart from their biological fathers. That is 1 out of every 3 (33%) children in America. Nearly 2 in 3 (64%) African American children live in father-absent homes. One in three (34%) Hispanic children, and 1 in 4 (25%) white children live in father-absent homes. In 1960, only 11% of children lived in father-absent homes.
Children who live absent their biological fathers are, on average, at least two to three times more likely to be poor, to use drugs, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems, to be victims of child abuse, and to engage in criminal behavior than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents." (Source: The Fatherhood Initiative)
And now...some research about the positive effects of father involvement!
"In general, kids who have dads that actively participate in their care and that interact with them a lot are more likely to:
1. Be smarter and more successful in school and work.
2. Be happier.
3. Have more friends and better relationships.
4. Have happier, healthier mothers.
5. Be less likely to get into trouble, or otherwise engage in risky behavior." (Source: Greater Good)
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| (Source: Laurel Furbish Photography) |
It's clear that dads matter to children. This blog is aimed to inform the public about current fatherhood policies, issues, tips, opinions, and anything else deemed important and relating to promoting proud fatherhood. We invite you to click around and see what you find. Over the next month or so, we'll be adding more posts and resources to increase awareness about fathers in the blogosphere.
What we'd love to know is what you want to read about. What interests you? What doesn't interest you? What do you want to understand better? Do you have an idea that you wish lawmakers would give attention to? Let us know! Leave a comment or contact us so that your voice may be represented here. We're so excited and honored that you've stopped by to support our little project. May your heart desire to return and frequently!
I would like to know what the good dad's do everyday with their kids to encourage their growth and contribute to the positive effects. Maybe interview a good dad and correlate their actions to the outcomes.
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