Fatherlessness In North Carolina

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Fatherhood is foundational to strong families, and strong families are essential to a strong Nation. An absent father affects all aspects of a child’s life, including socio-cognitive development, socio-emotional development, academic performance, and criminality. Unfortunately, the effects of fatherlessness are far too visible throughout America, including in North Carolina.

THE PREVALENCE OF FATHERLESSNESS

• Approximately 18.4 million children in the U.S. live without a biological father, stepfather, or adoptive father present in the home.
• 23% of U.S. children are raised by a single parent, which is the highest rate in the world and more than three times the world average of 7%.
• Nationally, 80% of single-parent homes are led by single mothers with an absent father.
• 35% of children in North Carolina are living in single-parent households.
• 14,521 children reside in foster care in North Carolina.

FATHERLESSNESS, CHILD DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATION

• A U.S. Department of Justice Briefing suggests 85% of children who exhibit behavior disorders are from fatherless homes.
• National data suggests fatherless children are 279% times more likely to carry guns and deal drugs than their peers.
• 68% of North Carolina 4th-graders scored “below proficient” in reading for their grade level.
• 65% of North Carolina 4th-graders scored “below proficient” in mathematics for their grade level.
• 38% of North Carolina 4th-graders are considered “chronically absent” from school.

FATHERLESSNESS, POVERTY, AND GOVERNMENT DEPENDENCE

• Fatherless children are four times more likely to live in poverty.
  • Approximately 412,500 children live in poverty—18.2% of all children in North Carolina.
  • 698,000 children are in families receiving public assistance in North Carolina.