The impact of a fatherless home on children is predictable. Research shows there are well known negative consequences which dramatically affect children, families and our society: poverty, poor physical health, child abuse and neglect, emotional and behavioral problems, premature and risky sexual activity, teenage parents, more likely to drop out of school, engage in substance abuse and engage in antisocial and criminal behavior and experience incarceration.

In the United States, 25 million children, one in every three, grow up in homes in which their biological Father does not live. According to a study conducted by the University of Virginia and DePaul University School of Public Health, a Father is a “One Hundred Billion Dollar Man”. The Federal government spends 100 billion dollars per year to support father absent homes not including the cost to the criminal justice System which is overwhelmed by men who grew up in fatherless homes. The largest areas of expenses were Medicaid with 23 billion, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families TANF 15 billion, Earned Income

tax credit 15 billion the remaining being divided among all other means tested poverty programs such as housing and child support enforcement.

It’s no stretch of the imagination to see that increasing responsible fatherhood can lead to the Stabilization of families and local economies. So it is clear that responsible fathers who live in the home provide economic stability, emotional, social, educational support and a safe environment. The resulting child outcomes are improved physical health, subjective wellness, material wellness, healthy peer relationships, mature sexual behavior, academic success, positive pro‐social behavior, healthy family relationships and a safe nurturing home.

The question is, how do we as a society go about increasing responsible fatherhood and thus the well being of families, especially children? Ultimately fathers need to transform as individuals and as a group. Transformation is no easy process which requires changes in basic principles such as respect, responsibility, honesty and integrity that in turn will change the way men think, their behavior and the culture they create. In order to accomplish such momentous tasks we as a society need to recognize the importance of this issue and support and encourage fathers in this journey.

There is a growing consensus that all men have intrinsic motivation to be a responsible father and that with support and encouragement they are capable of the transformation we are talking about. We also know there are effective interventions that can help men along with this process including employment development and substance abuse treatment. In fact there is good evidence that fatherhood programs that are innovative, comprehensive and collaborative are shown to be effective.

The latest research and program evaluations from across the country indicate that effective fatherhood programs can achieve the following outcomes with fathers; personal growth, emotional and social support of the children, returning to the home, resolution of partnership conflict resulting in effective co-parenting, engagement in healthy relationships, and financial support of the family. These are great outcomes that will certainly make a difference in our society if enough individuals and families are impacted. Local Community based, Faith based, Health care and Child welfare organizations

like Metro United Methodist Urban Ministry, recognize that we can’t do this work alone; it requires the support of everyone, school boards, policy makers, the faith community and citizens of San Diego networking and collaborating.

 

"As a single father of 5, an educator of 14 years and the founder of an organization renowned for its use of youth developmental best practices; I know that Fathering is as vital to a child’s life, as Mothering. Fathering has helped me raise happy, healthy and successful children. I support the Fatherhood Initiative and its purpose of breaking down the barriers that keep men from becoming fathers." - Rafael Monroy, Founder and CEO, Youth4rce, Inc. National Youth Advocacy Consultant

San Diego County is no stranger to this kind of collaboration and raising awareness regarding the magnitude of this crisis and the possibilities for change and the healing of families and communities can inspire another successful collaborative effort. I have faith we can build a fatherhood network of agencies and individuals that will work together to make the changes we so desperately need. Then perhaps, when people look back 100 years from now, we will see a different world.

Respectfully,

Rev. Rolland Slade