Developed as a resource for the Foundation’s Making Connections sites, the document provides a broad overview of fatherhood programs, including what makes them effective, how they pertain to family strengthening strategies and reviews the research about father involvement in low-income children’s lives. The report includes summaries of promising fatherhood programs and includes a list of related research and policy organizations and national fatherhood resources.
Fathers matter in the lives of their children. Children with involved fathers are more likely to avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, early sexual activity, truancy and criminal activity. They will also perform better in school and are less likely to develop emotional problems or experience violence. The absence of a father also impacts whether a child will live in poverty.
