by Diane Robertson
When I was a child, I wanted to be just like my dad. If he asked for mustard on his sandwich, I asked for mustard on mine. If he liked watching Star Trek, then so did I. It really didn’t matter what it was, I thought my dad was the greatest and wanted to be just like him. Why? Because fathers are important.
Now as I a mother of many children, I get to watch my husband interact with my children. I don’t always understand why he interacts with our children the way he does. Occasionally, I am tempted to intervene and coerce my husband into interacting with our children in a proper motherly fashion, but I know that kids need the interactions of both a mother and a father. Kids need mom speak and dad speak. They understand both and when they get both, they are happier and smarter, and better adjusted.
Here are some well-known Father Facts
Poverty—Children in fatherless homes are nearly 4 times more likely to experience poverty.
Emotions and Behavior—Children with fathers in the home are much less likely to experiences behavioral aggression and other emotional problems.
Infant Mortality Rate—The infant mortality rate is 1.8 times higher for children born to unwed mothers.
Incarceration—Children without fathers in the home have much higher odds of incarceration even when poverty is not a factor.
Sexual Activity—Children in fatherless homes are much more likely to engage in early sexual activity or to experience teen pregnancy.
Abuse—Children who do not live with their fathers have a higher risk of experiencing abuse.
Drugs and Alcohol—Children who live with both their mother and father are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.
Obesity—childhood obesity is more common in fatherless homes.
Education—Father involvement seems to be a major factor for children getting mostly A’s. This holds true for biological fathers, adoptive fathers, step fathers, and single parent fathers.