Father’s Day Every Day

Father’s are essential to the upbringing of emotionally healthy children. The absence of a father in the home can be damaging to a child’s self-esteem, stress load, anxiety, sense of well-being, and familial as well as social relationships.

As a previous foster parent, I noticed that 80% of the children who came to my home for treatment were from homes where there was either no father or the father was abusive or neglectful. In the BBC documentary “The World’s Strictest Parents” that my family starred in both troubled British teens came from homes with no fathers. You can see the program here.

When the two troubled teens came to our home they immediately bonded to Spencer, my husband. James, the seventeen year old British teen, felt close to Spencer and enjoyed having talks and getting driving lessons.

It is obvious that children, no matter the age, are more confident and happy when they have deep, meaningful relationships with both their parents. I acknowledge that this isn’t always possible. For instance some children are safer away from an abusive parent. But, even if that child has been abused and removed for safety the child still feels a great personal loss from not having a healthy relationship with their father. Children need mothers and fathers when at all possible.

Statistics About Fatherless Children

63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (US Dept. Of Health/Census) – 5 times the average.

90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes – 32 times the average.

85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes – 20 times the average. (Center for Disease Control)

80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes –14 times the average. (Justice & Behavior, Vol 14, p. 403-26)

71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes – 9 times the average. (National Principals Association Report)

75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes – 10 times the average. (thefatherlessgeneration.wordpress.com)

85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes – 20 times the average. (Fulton Co. Georgia, Texas Dept. of Correction)

Father’s Day Every Day

Children who spend time with their fathers every day are more focused, do better in school, and have more meaningful friendships and relationships. So, start now to make every day a father’s day. These every day father’s days don’t need to be fancy. Read your children a story, invite them to help you work in the yard, cook dinner together, play ball outside, build projects, and spend time talking. These small, seemingly simple actions strengthen relationships and create memories that will last a lifetime. Moments like these give a child his identity. Fathers are half of a child’s identity, so they should personally connect with the child each day.

Teach your children self-government principals and create happy relationships here.