House Passes Resolution Recognizing Importance of Fathers

On June 15, the House passed, 416-0, a resolution (H. Res. 1389) commending fathers who serve as caring parents for their children and urging men to understand the level of responsibility fathering a child requires.

Sponsored by Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC), the resolution makes a number of findings, including:

• Children with involved fathers are more likely to do well in school, have a better sense of well-being, and have fewer behavioral problems;
• When fathers are actively involved in the upbringing of children, the children demonstrate greater self-control and a greater ability to take initiative;
• Responsible fatherhood can help reduce child poverty; and
• Responsible fatherhood strengthens families and communities.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) noted, “Fathers play a significant role in shaping the character of their children. By spending time with their sons and daughters, being stern yet fair disciplinarians, and listening to their experiences, fathers mold and shape children into the men and women they will become. They instill important values and prepare their children for the challenges and opportunities ahead by demonstrating true leadership.”

Also speaking in support of the resolution, Rep. John Duncan (R-TN) said, “I know that many wonderful and many outstanding people have come from broken homes and even from father-absent households, but it’s an amazing statistic…that one out of every three children in America are living apart from their biological fathers now. We need to get a message across some way, especially to the young men of this country, that marriage is very, very important and that the role of fatherhood is very, very important and that it is harmful to a great many young people when a father leaves and removes himself from the raising of a child.”