WASHINGTON — More than 20 million children live in homes without the presence of a father, and studies from the Brookings Institution show that children raised by single moms are more likely than children in two-parent homes to suffer from emotional development, health problems and lag in student achievement.
In Prince George’s County, leaders are trying to bridge the gap for children living without a father figure and promote fatherhood and improve children’s outcomes by creating a 13-member Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys.
“We do see major impacts when it comes to improved academic achievement, behavior outcomes all across the board when it comes to fathers more involved,” said Prince George’s County Councilman Mel Franklin.
The county council voted unanimously last week to establish the commission and the administration of County Executive Rushern Baker spoke favorably about the measure, leading Franklin to believe Baker will sign it, setting the stage for the commission to begin its work sometime in the months ahead.
“The Commission on Fatherhood will be a permanent structure in our county government to pursue policies and programs that remedy a lot of those issues,” Franklin said.
