However, common the phenomenon of fatherlessness, it should still be treated as an area of social change. Twenty million children live without the physical presence of a father. Millions more have the physical presence of their father but lack the emotionally connect needed to form a healthy relationship. If this was classified as a disease, fatherless would be an epidemic worthy of national attention.

Fatherlessness brings many consequences along with it. Children growing up without a father are at a greater risk for poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, behavioral problems, and suicide. Boys are more likely to become involved in crime, and girls are more likely to become pregnant as teens. This is a social epidemic and I think it begins with addressing the problem as a problem. First, we must stop treating fatherlessness as a normal thing. Second, we need to investigate the reasons why fathers decide not to be present in their children’s lives. Then, we need to provide intervention to combat this epidemic. Finally, and probably the most important point, mothers and fathers must be encouraged and reminded of their daily commitment to their families.

These are just statistics. I am a product of a single parent household and I am doing just fine. But, would my life have been different with my father? Yes. Would it be better? I don’t know. But, father involvement is related to positive cognitive, developmental and socio-behavioral child outcomes.

If you decide to be a father be a DAD.

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