Fathers are important because:

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Dad with boy

There is consistent evidence that the quality and content of fathers’ involvement matter much more for children’s outcomes than the quantity of time that is spent.
Nearly a third of all childcare in the UK today is carried out by men!
All children need and benefit from a positive male role model.
In particular, fathers’ affection, support and ‘authoritative’ parenting style are related to children’s positive educational outcomes. Poor parenting by fathers is associated with children’s decreased educational attainment.
Children with involved fathers are less likely to engage in offending behaviour.
Around a half of all Parenting Orders are issued to single parents.
86% of all teenage suicides are in ‘fatherless families’.
Traditional parenting support services have been targeted at mothers.
Fathers are more likely to be employed, and therefore less able to spend more time with their children.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that the vast majority of men in the UK today would welcome the opportunity to be more involved with their children.
One of the best predictors of a mothers success at breastfeeding is her perception of her partner’s support. * UK breastfeeding rates are very low – only 28% of mothers will still be breastfeeding after 4 months!
Pre-school children were found to be more sociable starting nursery school, when they had spent time playing with their fathers.
Mothers’ involvement is no substitute for fathers’ involvement.