Top Ten Facts on Fathering

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart.” (Colossians 3:21)

If you’re reading this on June 17, 2012, it is Father’s Day in America. Here’s just a few quick facts about fathers:

1. There are 67.8 million fathers in America.


2. There are 74.7 million children under the age of 18


3. 62.2% of children live with their biological mother and father


4. 24.8 million children (33%) live apart from their biological father


5. 20.3 million children (27%) live in a home with no father


6. 2.7 million children live with their father only


7. The presence and involvement of a father is positively associated with child well-being, educational attainment, behavioral development, self-esteem and avoidance of high-risk behaviors.


8. Children growing up without a father present are more likely to suffer physical, emotional or educational neglect, engage in juvenile delinquency including violent crime, abuse drugs and alcohol, be a teenage mom, and live in poverty.


9. Fathers are the primary determinant on a child’s ongoing faith practice.


10. 70% of Americans agree that the physical absence of fathers from the home is the most significant family or social problem facing America.

[--SOURCES: (#1-6) United States Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2010 Annual Social and Economic Supplement; (#7-8) Father Facts, 5th Edition, National Fatherhood Initiative, 2007; (#9) Fathers: Key to their Children’s Faith, S. Michael Craven, June 13, 2006; (#10) National Center for Fathering, National Fathering Survey, 2009]

As you can see, it’s more important now than ever that we seek to be good, Godly fathers to our children and those who are like children to us, and to help foster good fathering practices in others. Since God is our Father, we can always look to Him to help us be what we need to be for others. Remember that He loves you and I do, too!

For more information on Godly fathering, visit the National Center for Fathering website