In a recent column for the Institute for Family Studies, Care Net staff member Alexander Hettinga highlights the critical role men play in pregnancy decisions and makes the case that supporting them leads to healthier, more stable outcomes for parents and children. Hettinga, Director of Fatherhood and Family Ministry at Care Net, wrote a guest column on March 17, 2026.
In the article, “Don’t Forget the Fathers: How Pregnancy Centers Champion Family Formation,” he draws on first-hand experience working with new and expectant fathers at a pregnancy center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, along with his role at Care Net, emphasizing that men play a major role in pregnancy decisions and family outcomes.
In surveys conducted by Care Net among women who had an abortion (2015) and men whose partners had abortions (2021), men proved to be the greatest single influence in pregnancy decisions, even though 31% of fathers reported giving no advice when asked.
Although many pregnancy centers have historically focused almost entirely on women, Hettinga writes that expanding fatherhood programs meets a real need and leads to better support for both mother and child.
“While some in the broader pro-life movement have been skeptical of these efforts, worried that they will overextend an already weary movement, we have seen just the opposite: centers seeking to build thriving fatherhood programs gain new volunteers, pastoral support, community partnerships, and funding from both individuals and foundations,” he said. “The work becomes a whole family affair, rather than just a specialized outreach for women only.”
A growing share of Care Net’s affiliated centers are offering services for fathers, climbing from 56% in 2023 to 78% in 2024. This emphasis shifts care from an individual focus to a family-oriented model.
By offering mentorship, education, and resources, pregnancy centers can help men become more involved and supportive partners. One example is Care Net’s Doctor Dad® course, which prepares pregnancy centers to welcome men with compassion, hope, and help from the start of their fatherhood journey. Care Net is also developing programs that emphasize the role of men and introduce couples facing unplanned pregnancies to the value of marriage and get past barriers.
The young men in Care Net’s fatherhood programs, “even those with rough edges” are eager for meaning and purpose, Hettinga noted.
“From my work with men and women in Pittsburgh and close collaboration with pregnancy center leaders around the country, I am a firm believer that many more healthy marriages can grow if men, and not just women, are given the care, education, and mentorship they need to succeed. The growth we are seeing among men—and the difference that immediately makes for their partner and child—is beautiful to witness.”
Engaging men in pregnancy support helps strengthen relationships, reduce repeat unplanned pregnancies and improve long-term outcomes for both parents and children. When fathers are involved and equipped to support their partners, families are more stable, which lowers the likelihood of future crises across generations. Encouraging marital relationships can contribute to healthier communities and more sustainable family structures.
Despite the expansion of fatherhood programs and the broader impact on families, Hettinga, in his Institute for Family Studies column, underscores that lasting change depends on the discipleship and community offered by local churches.
“Pregnancy centers can provide emergency care for individuals and pregnant couples facing sexual and relational brokenness and help them begin making healthy choices. But we cannot walk with families long-term in the same way a faith community can.”
Collaboration between churches and pregnancy centers is a vital component of Care Net’s Pro Abundant Life mission, which is based on the words of Jesus in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
As the Pro Abundant Life movement continues to grow, centers would also be wise to heed Hettinga’s advice, and “not forget the fathers.”