OPINION:
There’s a force that’s proven to cut poverty, lower crime and boost academic success — no government funding necessary.
It’s called fatherhood.
Billy Graham observed that a good father is “one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” He was right.
Strong, faithful, biblical dads quietly perform vital work every day — teaching, guiding, protecting and providing. They are mentors and coaches, homework helpers and spiritual leaders of the home. Yet beyond a quick Father’s Day card, we seldom sing their praises.
This isn’t to diminish the role of mothers; both parents are crucial. Yet even the best mom cannot be a dad. Too often, our culture and policies have overlooked or even undermined the importance of fathers. We do so at great cost.
I know the ache that absence leaves behind. The silence of my own father’s absence shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand until I became a father myself. Years later, when my wife and I adopted four children — each of whom had already experienced some form of fatherlessness — I began to see the redemptive weight of stepping into the role I never had.
Provision matters, but presence forms identity.
The call to uphold fatherhood rests, in particular, on people of faith. Scripture roots the very structure of the family in God’s self-revelation: He is not merely like a father, He is Father. His design for earthly fathers flows from His very character: protective, present, patient and just.
The Bible commands fathers to train their children in truth and commands children to honor their parents — not as a social courtesy, but as a covenantal imperative. In Psalm 68, God declares Himself “a father to the fatherless,” the defender of those wounded by absence and the model for those called to stand in the gap.
Yet across America, we have abandoned this wisdom. The results are visible and devastating. The fallout of absent fathers touches every corner of our culture — from classrooms to courtrooms, from mental health to public safety.
Right now, about 17.6 million children in the United States — nearly one in four — are growing up without a father in the home. That’s enough kids to fill New York City twice over.
As the National Center for Fathering put it, “If it were classified as a disease, fatherlessness would be an epidemic worthy of attention as a national emergency.”
The statistics paint a stark picture of what happens when dads are missing.
Children raised without fathers are over four times more likely to live in poverty.
Kids in father-absent families are two times more likely to drop out of school.
Fatherless children face a far greater risk of delinquency, make up the majority of incarcerated youth and are up to 20 times more likely to end up in prison.
Approximately 90% of homeless and runaway youth and 60% of youth suicides come from fatherless homes.
Girls who grow up with absent fathers are far more likely to become teen mothers.
Fathers have a unique role that cannot be filled by any government program or substitute. When dads disappear, children suffer — and so does society.
We need to turn the tide. First, fathers themselves must answer the call. If you are a dad, know that your presence and example are irreplaceable. Step up and stay engaged in your kids’ lives. If you grew up without a father, strive to be the dad you wished you had and break the cycle.
Second, we need a cultural shift to support and celebrate fatherhood. All of us — families, churches and communities — can encourage dads and help fill the gap for children who don’t have active fathers. Mentorship programs, faith-based initiatives and simple neighborly outreach can connect fatherless boys and girls with positive male role models.
Finally, our public leaders must prioritize strengthening fatherhood. Policymakers can promote father-friendly measures, such as reducing marriage penalties in welfare or funding fatherhood initiatives that help dads with parenting skills. It’s a smart investment; when fathers fulfill their responsibilities, children are safer and society is stronger. Leaders of both parties — from former President Barack Obama to pro-family advocates — agree that no government can replace the role of a dad.
In my industry, we’re seeing a parallel story. Our recent study with Barna Group found that Gen Z is actively turning to faith-based media not to escape culture, but to shape their lives. They’re hungry for guidance, stability and stories that reflect the values they want to live by.
Christian communicators can come alongside fathers to shape the next generation — not with platitudes, but as embodied examples.
This Father’s Day, let’s do more than buy a tie. If we truly care about tackling societal dysfunction at its root, we must care about restoring fatherhood.
As we honor fathers this weekend, let’s also renew our commitment to fatherhood itself. Honor the dads who are doing it right. Lend a hand to those who are struggling. And remember that empowering fathers to be present and responsible isn’t just a nice sentiment — it’s one of the best investments in America’s future.
Troy A. Miller is president and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB). He is a senior executive with over 30 years of business and management experience.
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