By Jack Parkos | United States

It’s fathers day, and in spite of what some feminist may tell you, it is an important holiday. Why? Because fathers matter. We all know mothers matter, too. But fathers never get the same respect. The truth is both parents matter. Studies show boys need a proper father figure in their life. This does not mean a single mother is a bad parent. It just means a boy needs a father to teach him how to become a man.

Numerous studies have shown what happens when there is not a father present in the home of a child. When a father is not present children are more likely to engage in crime, be incarcerated, take drugs, and be poor in their own adulthood. Meanwhile, when a father is present the likelihood of all this drops. There also are some other positives. Girls are less likely to become pregnant as a teen with a father in the household. Romantic relationships for these girls will also be more positive. And of course, boys with a good father will be more likely to be good fathers themselves.

The lack of fatherhood does a lot of damage to children, and this is seen at its worse in the black community. Lack of fatherhood is a problem for all communities and has increased majorly in the United States, especially in the black community. Radio Show host Larry Elder cites that out-of-wedlock births increased in the black community from 25 percent in 1965 to 73 percent in 2015, while also increasing among whites from 5 percent to 25 percent across the same time period. Overall, the percentage of American children who grew up without fathers increased from 5 percent in 1960 to 41 percent in 1995.

One reason for the increase in single motherhood is the massive welfare state. With all the welfare offered for single mothers, the state is encouraging men to leave and encouraging mothers to be single. Whether intentional or not, this is a consequence of a massive welfare state.

Another reason for fathers leaving is cultural. The cultural war on fathers. There is a cultural shift from neo-Marxist feminists trying to destroy fatherhood. They claim that recognizing the importance of fatherhood is part of “the patriarchy” in America and that fatherhood is not needed. There was a hashtag #endfathersday going around. While this was started as a hoax on 4chan and only some of them were actually serious, feminists are still trying to change the holiday. Could you imagine the outrage if someone suggested we make mothers day a “Men’s day”?

The solution to the war on fathers will be more a cultural movement and not based on government policy. (However, ending the massive welfare state that encourages single motherhood is essential). If you’re lucky enough to be with your father today, and he is and was a good dad, remember to thank him!

To support 71 Republic, please donate to our Patreon, which you can find here.