Fathers Are A Protective Factor For Their Children

Fathers serve many roles. One of them is being a protective factor in their children's lives. Research has shown that having a biological father involved in a child's life protects them from the risk of child abuse. Here is some research from a wellbeing study.

Father Factor in Child Abuse

A study using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study revealed that in many cases the absence of a biological father contributes to increased risk of child maltreatment. The results suggest that Child Protective Services (CPS) agencies have some justification in viewing the presence of a social father as increasing children’s risk of abuse and neglect. It is believed that in families with a non-biological (social) father figure, there is a higher risk of abuse and neglect to children, despite the social father living in the household or only dating the mother.
Source: “CPS Involvement in Families with Social Fathers.” Fragile Families Research Brief No.46. Princeton, NJ and New York, NY: Bendheim-Thomas Center for Research on Child Wellbeing and Social Indicators Survey Center, 2010.

The bottom line is your child needs you. You are a protective factor in their life. Stay in the game. Your child or children are counting on you.