Title: The Rise of Single Fathers | Pew Research Center
Headings: The Rise of Single Fathers
The Rise of Single Fathers
A Ninefold Increase Since 1960
Profile of Single Father Householders
Single Fathers are Younger, Less Educated
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SINGLE DADS
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Content: 4
The increase in single father households is likely due to a number of factors, most of which have also contributed to the increase in single mother households, and to the decline of two-married-parent households. First and foremost, there has been a marked increase in the share of non-marital births. And even though divorce rates have leveled off in recent decades, they remain higher than they were in the 1960s and 1970s. Some experts suggest that changes in the legal system have led to more opportunities for fathers to gain at least partial custody of children in the event of a breakup, as well. At the same time, the role of fathers has evolved, and the public now acknowledges their importance not only as breadwinners, but also as caregivers. Analysis of long-term time use data shows that fathers are narrowing the still sizable gap with mothers in the amount of time they spend with their children. And Pew Research surveys find that the public believes that a father’s greatest role is to provide values to his children, followed by emotional support, discipline and income support. Public opinion ascribes roughly the same hierarchy of roles to mothers. Profile of Single Father Householders
Like single mothers, single fathers are typically less educated and less well-off than their married counterparts. They are also younger and less likely to be white.