Good news for a change! A recent study from the Institute of Family Studies (IFS) shows that fathers are spending an hour more per week with their children than fathers two decades ago. Moreover, there has been a noticeable decrease in fatherless households, from “20.6 million in 2012 to 18.4 million in 2022.”
Clearly, the biggest winners of this are the children. It’s not enough that they have a person who can materially provide for them. They need the masculine presence of a dad who can serve as a role model, create emotional stability, and protect them from both physical and spiritual harms.
Boys in particular suffer enormously without their fathers. Without that role model, they are more likely to channel their energy in destructive ways and fritter away their potential in vain pursuits. Girls also suffer without a father, and may fall prey to harmful ideas and predators because they have no protector. More fathers spending more time at home will presumably lead to safer, kinder children growing up with brighter prospects. Wives and mothers also benefit from the extra help, whether they are stay-at home moms or working mothers, who both take on the lion’s share of parenting.
More broadly, the news of fathers being more present can help dispel the popular stereotype of the clueless dad who creates more problems than he solves or the deadbeat dad who neglects his family. More and more, whenever I go to church, visit the library, help coach my children’s
