Fathers Make a Huge Difference

Postmodern society often tells fathers they aren't all that important, except, perhaps, in the strict biological sense. But, both human intuition and our own experiences while growing up tell us something much different: all boys and girls need a loving, committed dad in their lives.

Here's another truth that's sometimes denied or misunderstood: for their own benefit and health, fathers need to be connected emotionally with their children.

The 1996 publication of Dr. David Blankenhorn's landmark book, Fatherless America, sparked a fatherhood movement across the U.S. As a result, social scientists have now clearly documented the great importance a father plays in a child's life-and the serious consequences that occur when he is absent.

Did You Know?

- In 1960, only about 7 million children lived in homes without their fathers-a relatively small percentage of the U.S. population. Today, nearly half of all kids grow up without their father at home.

- 20 percent of children today live in poverty, most in fatherless homes.

- Girls in single-parent families are 150 percent more likely to become pregnant and to have babies out-of-wedlock than girls from two-parent families.

- Children in single-parent families are twice as likely to become involved in substance abuse or other health-risk behaviors compared to those from two-parent homes.

- 70 percent of hard-core criminals grew up without fathers.

Is being fatherless a guarantee of failure in life? Of course not. It is true that, in the Providence of God, and often through the hard work and prayers of a caring mother or other family member, some fatherless children do avoid many of these serious problems. Some fatherless children even excel and dare to do great things. But, we ask, at what cost emotionally and relationally? Who can deny that fatherless children experience real private pain?

YES, being a father is serious business.

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Becoming a Great Dad

Today, however, for a number of important reasons, many men who wish to become great dads don't possess the skills and tools they need to do the fathering job right. That's where the Oklahoma Family Policy Council can help!

This page puts men in touch with many great resources, programs and organizations that can help them to become the best fathers possible. What a worthy goal!

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Fatherhood Links

Please click on the following links for the best in reliable fatherhood-related information:

National Center for Fathering

National Fatherhood Initiative

Focus on the Family - Dr. James Dobson

Department of Health & Human Services - Fatherhood Web-site

Men's Leadership Ministries - Dr. Steve Farrar

Family Life – Dr. Dennis Rainey

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Dads & Daughters Report from OFPC

Oklahoma Family Policy Council is pleased to offer its research-based report written especially for fathers and daughters. Uniquely written from a daughter's perspective, this imminently practical, insightful, 33-page report called Dads and Daughters gives valuable information to both fathers and daughters about how they can best strengthen this special, life-long, dad-daughter relationship.

Dads & Daughters Report Features:

For DAUGHTERS

• YES, having a close relationship with your dad is GOOD for YOU!

• What YOU CAN DO personally to strengthen your relationship with your own father?

For DADS

• HOW do you create a close father-daughter relationship, especially in the teenage years and beyond? Check out our useful, research-based tips.

• Important steps to remember: LISTEN, SHARE, MODEL, ACCEPT

Request the Dads & Daughters Report Today!

To obtain your copy of this helpful report, please call OFPC at 405-787-7744 or email your request to: info@okfamilypc.org (suggested donation $15).

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