We just had Father’s Day – the time to celebrate the role of fathers – whether it’s traditional fatherhood or non-traditional.<\/p>\n
I recently became a first-time grandfather and love it. But I was alerted to the fact of some striking statistics coming from the U.S. Census.<\/p>\n
There are approximately 18.3 million children across America who live without a father in the home. That’s about 1 in 4 children. Fatherless families are four times more likely to raise children in poverty and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 84% of homeless families are headed by women.<\/p>\n
Data from the founder of Mind Positive Parenting<\/a> says the average school-age boy only spends 30 minutes a week in a one-on-one conversation with their father when dad’s at home – compared to 30 hours a week on video games, TV, and the internet – 60 hours if they’re a teenager.<\/p>\n The Department of Justice said 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes, and 85% of children who exhibit behavioral disorders are from fatherless homes. With all that grim news – you may be asking yourself, “Matt, what’s the point?”<\/p>\n Jimmy Buffett referred to getting a tattoo as a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling. I think that holds true for some having kids.<\/p>\n So, fathers out there (biological, foster, adopting, non-binary, gay, or other non-traditional means), it really doesn’t matter if you are a father to a child. If you want respect, have respect for the life you are responsible for raising in this world.<\/p>\n We honored Father’s Day for the role dads play in a family circle and a child’s life. We don’t need more fathers believing that temporary feelings mean I can also be a temporary father when it fits me.<\/p>\n The stats are ugly and startling enough without more fathers shirking their responsibilities of what a father’s day is all about.<\/p>\n Matt Markovich often covers the state legislature and public policy for KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of Matt Markovich’s stories <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>. Follow Matt on <\/em>X, formerly known as Twitter<\/em><\/a>, or <\/em>email him here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nMarkovich:<\/strong> Where’s our ‘inconvenience fee’ for when the president visits and disrupts Seattle?<\/a><\/h3>\n