About Us
4Fathers works with men to promote healthy romantic relationships, healthy parenting, effective approaches for stress management, life skill development, health and wellness practices, career planning, economic empowerment and mentorship.
The Census Bureau reports in 1968 85% of children under the age of 18 lived in two-parent households (regardless of marital status). By 2020 it decreased to 70%.
The US Office of Justice, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention reports: Between 1980 to 2022 the number of children living in two-parent families declined for white youth (82% to 75.6%) and Hispanic youth (75% to 67.5%) for Black youth in 2022 (43%) is roughly the same in 1980 which was (42%)
Single mother households increased between 1970 to 2022
- 7.8% to 16.7% White
- 29.6% to 45.6% Black
- 19.6% to 24.4% Hispanic Ethnicity
It is important to understand these trends because the environments in which children are being cultivated impacts their development, behavior, academic outcomes, friendships, relationships, health and mental health. In order to impact these outcomes, we have to impact the environments where they are being raised in parented.
Strong and healthy relationships with parents help reduce internalizing problems, (e.g., depression and anxiety) and externalizing problems (e.g., anger and aggression)
Nearly 7.6 million (11%) children lived with their mother only in 1968 compared to 15.3 million (21%) children in 2020.
Racial and cultural disparities:
After enslavement until the 1970’s, most Black children lived in two-parent households. Today, less than two-fifths of Black children are living with two married parents. These children are more likely to live in single mother led households. The imbalance in family balance and support is why 4Fathers primarily focuses on Black men.
Impact of Fatherless Homes:
- 63% of youth suicides (US Department of Health)
- 90% of all homeless and runaway children
- 85% of all children who show behavior disorders (CDC)
- 80% of rapists with anger problems (Justice & Behavior Vol 14, pg 403-426)
- 71% of all high school dropouts
Resources including the CDC, NIH, Census Bureau, Department of Health have similar findings:
- Single Parent Households- are more socially and economically disadvantaged
- Involve less parental monitoring and supervision
- Include more everyday stress (for children as well as parents) due to financial insecurity and parent union instability
We believe that fathers are valuable, necessary and should be supported and celebrated. When we strengthen fathers we strengthen our communities. Strong fathers are crucial to creating healthy families and a thriving community.