The National Center for Fathering is a non-profit research and education organization whose mission is to champion the role of responsible fatherhood by inspiring and equipping men to be more engaged in the lives of children.

The research information contained here is provided as an extension of our mission. We believe that beyond one’s personal experience, these research findings will provide convincing evidence that restoring responsible fatherhood is a critical priority for our children, families, communities and nation.

The information is organized in four major sections:

1. Recent Research
1. Fathers’ Involvement in Children’s Learning (May, 2009) - PDF
2. Fathering in America (May, 2009) - PDF
3. Fathers’ Involvement and Children’s Developmental Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies (February 2008) - PDF
   
2. Facts About Fathers and Fathering
1. The Extent of Fatherlessness
2. Contributors to Fatherlessness
3. The Consequences of Fatherlessness
4. The Effects of Fatherfullness
5. Trends in Fathering
6. Father Facts - A Publication of Research on Fatherhood
7. The Father Factor (National Fatherhood Initiative) - Data on the Effects of Father Absence on Poverty, Maternal and Child Health, Incarceration, Crime, Teen Pregnancy, Child Abuse, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Education, and Childhood Obesity
   
3.  National Surveys on Fathers and Fathering
1. 1996 NCF-Gallup Poll: Fathers in America
2. 1999 NCF Poll: "Fathering in America"
3. 1999 Fathers' Involvement in Their Children's Learning
4. 2009 Fathers’ Involvement in Children’s Learning - PDF
5. 2009 NCF Poll: "Fathering in America" - PDF
   
4. Additional Research on Fathers and Fathering
1. Father's Involvements in their Children's Schools, US Department of Education, 1997
2. What Do Fathers Contribute to Children's Well-Being? (May 1999) - PDF
3. How Do Social, Economic and Cultural Factors Influence Fathers' Involvement with their Children? (May 1999) - PDF
4. The Meaning of Father Involvement for Children (May 1999) - PDF
5. Children at Risk: State Trends 1990-2000
6. The Importance of Father Love: History and Contemporary Evidence (2001)
7. Fathers' Activities with Their Kids (June 2001) - PDF
8. Making Fathers Count - Assessing the Progress of Responsible Fatherhood Efforts - available through the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
9. Does father absence place daughters at special risk for early sexual activity and teenage pregnancy? (May / June 2003) - PDF
10. As Marriage and Parenthood Drift Apart, Public Is Concerned about Social Impact - Pew Research (July 2007)
11. Fathers’ Involvement and Children’s Developmental Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies (February 2008) - PDF

Periodic new research and additions to this page will be highlighted on our home page and here. To submit information for posting, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Note: The National Center for Fathering is a non-profit research and education organization whose mission is to champion the role of responsible fatherhood by inspiring and equipping men to be more engaged in the lives of children. We have been careful to cite the sources of all information and research posted here. Please feel free to copy or quote from any of it. We only ask that you cite the source in every instance. Thank you!