The Fatherhood Crisis: What Statistics Say

There is evidence that there are critical emotional and psychological needs that only a male can provide, just as there are specific needs only the female is designed to meet. The absence of either has an effect on development, despite the seemingly normal functioning of the human family

When a father disconnects, leaves, or dies too soon, so does a part of his child’s heart. At the point a child gets detached from his or her father, it creates a massive vacuum of unmet needs in all the key areas for which the father is responsible.

More and more kids are going to bed at night without their father in their home. The physical absence of fathers is now considered the most significant family and social problem facing our world.

The research is staggering. Prisoners, drug users, dropouts, runaways, and rapists all share something in common, an absent Father.

The Father Absence Crisis

Approximately 10% of Ugandan Fathers Are Unaware of the Existence/ Do Not Know their Kids.

40% of Ugandan Fathers are aware of the Existence of their Kid(s) but Ignore Them / Not Involved. 

Research in USA shows that when a child is raised in a father-absent home, they are affected in the following ways:

• 4x Greater Risk of Poverty
• More Likey to Have Behavioral Problems
• 2x Greater Risk of Infant Mortality
• More Likely to Go to Prison
• More Likely to Commit Crime
• 7x More Likely to Become Pregnant as a Teen
• More Likely to Face Abuse and Neglect
• More Likely to Abuse Drugs and Alcohol
• 2x More Likely to Suffer Obesity
• 2x more Likely to Drop Out of School
• Men who grew up with absent fathers are more likely to become absent fathers
• Women who grew up with absent fathers are more likely to have children with absent fathers

The Strengths of Father Presence

Research in USA shows that Children with involved fathers have a strong foundation for child well-being. They are at lower risk for a host of poor childhood outcomes such as Infant Mortality, Low Birth Weight, Emotional and Behavioral Problems, Neglect and Abuse, Injury, Obesity, Poor School Performance, Teen Pregnancy, Incarceration as Juveniles, Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Criminal Activity, Suicide

Mothers reap a host of benefits when fathers are involved during pregnancy and in raising their children viz More likely to receive prenatal care, less likely to smoke during pregnancy, Healthier births, Lower risk of post-partum stress, Lower risk of post-partum depression, Lower parenting stress, More leisure time and Higher marital satisfaction

The negative statistics of fatherlessness can be reversed by the power of fathers restored to their place in the family and their true calling as men. We can reverse these downward trends and strengthen lives, families, communities, and nations by discovering and living out the priority, position, and role of the male in the family.

More Info:

1. This is Why Fathers Are Necessary
2. Show Me The Father
3. National Fatherhood Initiative
4. The State of Ugandan Fathers