CareCast hosts Roland Warren and Vincent DiCaro dig into fresh research on fathers—and it’s not subtle. A new study led by University of Virginia’s Brad Wilcox (“Good Fathers, Flourishing Kids”) shows what decades of social science has already been shouting: kids do better when dad is engaged at home, especially when dad is married to mom. From health to school to behavior, the father factor isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s foundational.
But here’s why that should matter deeply to the pro-life movement: Care Net and Lifeway Research found that the man involved in the pregnancy is the most influential voice in a woman’s decision to continue or end her pregnancy. When boys grow up without strong male models, they often become men who lack the confidence, skills, or commitment to lead with love and responsibility. The boy crisis, in other words, becomes a life crisis. If the pro-life movement cares about reducing abortion, it must care about raising boys to become the kind of men who stay, support, and speak life.
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#1 Good Fathers, Flourishing Kids
Roland and Vince point out how we’ve watched the data for years. Involved, responsible, married dads correlate with better outcomes—across health, academics, behavior, and stability. You can search for the outlier study, but the pattern doesn’t change: put dad in the home with mom, and kids thrive.
#2 The “Boy Crisis” Misses the Root
Early 1900s America built boy-forming spaces (YMCA, Boy Scouts) because industrialization pulled dads from daily life. Today those male spaces have faded or went co-ed—and church attendance has dropped. Add the cultural de-linking of sex, marriage, motherhood, and fatherhood, and boys lose the daily modeling only fathers provide. And that loss ripples into relationships, families, and pregnancy decisions.
#3 Participation = Motivation + Location
Roland gives us a formula. If you want father participation, you need motivation (skills build confidence) and location (living with his child). That’s what marriage does—it puts a committed father in the home, every day, for transformational mentoring, not just transactional coaching. The world seems to shout how cool mentoring is—and yes—we need mentors. But make no mistake, married fatherhood is crucial. It’s not only the key to raising strong boys—it’s the foundation for saving and shaping future families.
Join the Movement for Fathers, Families, and Life
The boy crisis isn’t just a cultural concern—it’s a discipleship opportunity. If the most influential voice in a pregnancy decision is a man’s, then building up godly husbands and fathers is essential to building a culture of life. That’s why Care Net equips churches and centers to reach men, strengthen families, and share the gospel that transforms hearts and homes.
👉 Explore more stories and Care Net Resources and discover how you can help raise up the next generation of fathers who choose life—and lead with love.