Father Involvement Leads To Healthier Children

• According to a U.S. Census Bureau report, over 25 million children live apart from their biological fathers. That is 1 out of every 3 (34.5%) children in America.
• Father involvement in schools is associated with the higher likelihood of a student getting mostly A's.¹ This was true for fathers in biological parent families, for stepfathers, and for fathers heading single-parent families.
• Youths are more at risk of first substance use without a highly involved father.² Each unit increase in father involvement is associated with 1% reduction in substance use. Living in an intact family also decreases the risk of first substance use.
• The closer adolescents feel to their fathers, regardless of the type of family structure
  in which they live, the less likely it is that they will engage in the use of drugs.³
• The closer adolescents feel to their fathers, regardless of the type of family structure
  in which they live, the less likely it is that they will engage in delinquent behavior.⁴
• The National Center for Educational Statistics reported that when fathers are involved in their children's education, the kids were more likely to get As, enjoy school, and participate in extracurricular activities.⁵

Sources:
1. Nord, Christine Winquist, and Jerry West. Fathers' and Mothers' Involvement in Their Children's Schools by Family Type and Resident Status. (NCES 2001-032). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2001.
2. Bronte-Tinkew, Jacinta, Kristin A. Moore, Randolph C. Capps, and Jonathan Zaff. "The influence of father involvement on youth risk behaviors among adolescents: A comparison of native-born and immigrant families." Article in Press. Social Science Research December 2004.
3,4. Family Structure, Father Closeness, and Delinquency: A Report from National Fatherhood Initiative. www.fatherhood.org
5. The National Fatherhood Initiative. http://www.fatherhood.gov/faq/importance.cfm