Concluding Comments

As stated in the introductory chapter, we trust that this book has shed some light on why the role and function of the father is important for the development of children. Social change occurs slowly, but it does appear that fathers are being recognized as important, as reported in the following study by M. N. Baily, R. Lawrence and K. Shaw (Economic Report of the President 1–2–2000 US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC). (No comparable statement has so far been found in the UK policy documents.)

Although the proportion of single-parent families headed by the father is rising, the mother has typically been the custodial parent in such families. For this reason, and because of the higher incidence of poverty in female-headed families, the discussion of single-parent families in this chapter focuses on single mothers. An important issue for such families is the link between children's well being and the absence of the father.

It is estimated that 36 percent of American children live apart from their biological fathers; about 40 percent of children in fatherless households have not seen their fathers in at least a year. Before they reach age 18, more than half of America's children are likely to have spent a significant portion of their childhood living apart from their fathers.

Yet there is strong evidence suggesting that the presence of a father matters:

• Children under age 6 who live apart from their fathers are about five times as likely to be poor as children with both parents at home.

• Girls without a father in their life are two and a half times as likely to get pregnant and 53 percent more likely to commit suicide.

• Boys without a father in their life are 63 percent more likely to run away and 37 percent more likely to abuse drugs.

• Children without father involvement are twice as likely to drop out of high school, roughly twice as likely to abuse alcohol or drugs, twice as likely to end up in jail, and nearly four times as likely to need