Approximately one-third of children in the U.S. are living in single-parent households. 

According to the Kids Count Data Center at the Annie E Casey Foundation, children growing up in single-parent families typically do not have the same economic or human resources available as those growing up in two-parent families and are more likely to drop out of school, to have or cause a teen pregnancy and to experience a divorce in adulthood. 

This is often referred to as the “Father Absence Factor,” a dad missing in the life of a child, which impacts a number of social issues facing society.

The commission 

A few weeks ago, a report was issued by the Strong Families Commission, an advocate for greater father involvement in the lives of children and families and the systems that serve them.  

The report addresses the consequences of father absence in the lives of Pennsylvania’s children and includes input from national, state, and local representatives who are concerned with improving outcomes for children. The report emphasizes that social service programs and systems for children are not designed to maximize fathers’ contributions to their children’s well-being. As a result, too many children are not being fully served and provided access to important developmental resources. 

Recommendations for the state of Pennsylvania include creating and funding a Commission on Greater Father Family Involvement in the Governor’s office. 

This Commission would help ensure funding for outreach policies, services and practices. This would enable fathers to become more involved in the lives of their children; assume greater emotional, social, physical, intellectual, spiritual, and financial responsibility for them; and positively influence their well-being.  

Dr. Joel N. Myers, founder of Dads Resource Center, has accepted the appointment as advocate of the 2019 launch of the statewide campaign for greater father involvement in the lives of Pennsylvania’s children and families. 

Dads Resource Center is a children’s advocacy organization that aims to ensure that each child has the appropriate involvement and contributions from both of their parents. The Center supports single fathers, so they are able to fulfill their role in the well-being and healthy development of their children. 

As we have said before, children in single parent families can flourish, but it is clear from this new report that the challenge of raising children is made more difficult when public service systems established to help those in need fail to include fathers as an important factor in child and family well-being programs and policies.  

The Pennsylvania report says that child well-being outcomes can be greatly improved by supporting father involvement in the lives of their children. Research shows that dads are vital in children’s lives. Our role as model, mentor, and ally impacts their sense of security and striving. Do all you can to be present for your child. Dads make a significant difference in the lives of their children.