A generation ago, it was understood that having a father in the home was good for children. Asked in 2006 how important it was for a couple to get married when they had children, half of the public said “very important,” and 27% said “somewhat” important. Today, over 40% of people say a married father in the home is not important at all.

This growing lack of understanding or respect for what fathers contribute to children’s lives is unfortunate since the more research there is, the clearer it becomes that fathers play a huge positive role in not only their children’s lives but also in the lives of other children in their communities.