The Fatherhood Act of 2003

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The Fatherhood Act of 2003
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Fatherhood Act of 2003

• Focuses on the importance of fathers and families
  for child development and aims to strengthen
  families and promote responsible fatherhood
  through public awareness, community involvement,
  and through marriage.
• 24 million children in the United States today
  live apart from their biological father. 40 of
  children who live in a house without a father,
  have not seen their father in the last year and
  50 of these children have never seen their
  fathers house.

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• The most important factor in a childs up
  bringing is whether the child is brought up in a
  loving, healthy, and supportive environment.
• Parents should become more actively involved with
  their childrens lives
• 60 of couples who divorce have at least one
  child
• The number of children living with just a mother
  has increased from just over 5 million in 1960 to
  17 million in 1999
• In 1981-1991 the of children living with one
  parent increased from 19 to 25

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• Children who live without contact with their
  biological fathers are
• 5 times more likely to live in poverty
• More likely to bring weapons and drugs into
  classrooms
• Twice as likely to commit crimes
• Twice as likely to drop out of school
• More likely to commit suicide
• More then twice as likely to abuse alcohol or
  drugs
• More likely to become pregnant as teenagers
• Violent criminals are overwhelmingly males who
  grew up without fathers

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What makes a responsible father?

• Active participation in financial support and
  child care
• A positive, healthy, and non violent relationship
  with their child
• A cooperative relationship between parents

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Fatherhood act of 2003

• Government grants provide funding for programs to
  help fathers become more responsible.
• These programs should promote and provide support
  services for 1. loving and healthy relationships
  between parents and children 2. cooperative
  parenting and 3. marriage

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• These grants give money to have air time on the
  radio and the TV to promote fatherhood and
  marriage
• This act gives 50 million a year for responsible
  fatherhood programs
• 30 million is given to community-based, non
  profit , faith-based, or private organizations
• 20 million goes to the ten states that qualify

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• Responsible fatherhood programs include programs
  that provide services that promote marriage,
  build parenting skills, and provide employment
  services