How to improve father involvement
Proven programs that get dads to spend more quality time with their kids
Men and boys issues are suddenly getting (some of) the attention they deserve. These issues really come down to a core issue:
Lack of father involvement. About 40% of dads do not live full-time with their children. And while it is improving dramatically, non-residentail dads spend less time with their children and are at risk of dropping out all together.
Studies find time and again that everyone in a family — no matter how that family is structured (married, divorced, separated, living apart) — fares better when father involvement is high. When it comes to outcomes for boys and girls, academic, social, emotional and physical and mental wellbeing improve when their dads are a regular and frequent part of their weekly lives — ideally a 50% part.
When dads are active in their kids’ lives, the men’s outcomes improve mentally, physically and professionally. Moms benefit similarly when their kids’ dads are engaged.
However, the real struggle to engage fathers with their children are among families in which parents live separately. This issue is especially grave among low-income families.
In addition to obvious efforts like guaranteed paid paternity leave, workplace policies that apply to mothers and fathers equally (both of which more likely apply to more affluent and educated salaried, there are proven models to improve father involvement.
As legislators and advocates invest in fatherhood programs, consider these success models and research:
Prenatal, infant and early childhood care