The Return to Fatherhood
We are being shown over and again that the narrative that fathers don't matter in the pregnancy decision and life of a child just isn't true.
We often see a woman's sense of security and confidence change and grow when her partner is involved in the life of their child from conception on.
Research also shows significant evidence that a father's involvement in the life of his child results in outcomes that are more beneficial for both mother and baby.
1 in 4 children in America live without a father in the home. Did you know that when a father is absent from the home, mother and child face:
- 4x greater risk of poverty*
- 2x greater risk of infant mortality*
- children are 7x more likely to experience teen pregnancy*
- children are more likely to face abuse and neglect, experience behavioral problems, abuse drugs and alcohol, suffer obesity, commit crime*
- 2x more likely to drop out of high school*
The narrative that fathers don't matter in a pregnancy decision, or in the life of a child at all, is proving to be false. In fact, the push for individualism and "my body, my choice" is a western experiment that is failing. It was a family that God created in the beginning to have dominion over the earth - a family team on mission. Both man and woman are essential in creating a thriving family and community. We believe this is God's heart and we see the difference in the well-being of our clients.
*Source: U.S. Census Bureau. (2021). Living arrangements of children under 18 years old: 1960 to present. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Census Bureau.
Would you pray with us that the hearts of those in our community would turn toward their families again?
To explore more about becoming the best dad you can be, click on Fathering in 15:
A free online learning experience from National Fatherhood Initiative.