The Statistics don’t lie, Fathers Matter. But what if your child doesn’t have one?

There is a fatherless crisis in North America. National Fatherhood Initiative® states that 18.4 million children, being 1 in 4 children, live without a biological, step or adoptive father at home in The United States. Statistics Canada reports that 12.8 percent of Canadian children live in fatherless households. 

The impact of a fatherless home has far reaching effects on these children being that 1 in 4 children would experience 4 times greater risk of poverty, and be more likely to have emotional and behavioural problems. Consequently, they are more likely to go to prison or commit crime, females are 7 times more likely to become pregnant as a teen, be more likely to face abuse and neglect, they are also more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, and twice more likely to drop out of school. These indicators highlight the enormous risks these children face throughout their lifetime. 

In celebration of Father’s Day, Azaliya Schulz, the author of the book “Where is Daddy? Who is Daddy?” highlights the importance of recognizing families that don’t have an active father involvement. When we think of single parent homes, we rarely consider the impact of this on the child. These effects are highlighted in times like this when we celebrate Fathers, which is admirable, but it’s not a pleasant time for those who have limited or no physical contact with their dads or other healthy father figures. 

While some families spend copious amounts of time and money to have the perfect Father’s Day gift, others are struggling to meet dual parent demands and reassure their kids, while some may be in denial about the level of impact of a father’s absence on the child. The truth of the matter is, fathers matter. 

The impact of a fatherless home has far reaching effects on children. With 1 in 4 children being fatherless, these children are at a 4 times greater risk of poverty, more likely to have behavioural problems, are more likely to go to prison or commit crime, with girls being 7 times more likely to become pregnant as a teen, and more likely to face abuse and neglect, and if these were not enough to cause major concern, add on that they are also more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, and twice more likely to drop out of school. 

Azaliya states that she grew up not knowing her dad and it had a profound effect on her entire life. Azaliya explains “as I could not change my past, I realized I could change my perception and gained a deeper understanding. My daughter’s birth made me realize that parents have an innate love for their children and they only wish to pass on their best qualities even if they are not fully engaged in their child’s life.”

This was the basis for her book ‘Where is Daddy? Who is Daddy’? The book reassures the child that he/she is loved by both parents and that they both wanted to pass only their best qualities to the child. The book encourages the child to build an internal relationship with their father, in order to gain a safe psychological foundation and intrinsic support.

Author Schulz emphasizes the importance of acknowledging families without active fathers. Father’s Day will prompt many children to ask their moms, “Mommy, Mommy, where is daddy?”. Helping mothers find the right answer is crucial because many mothers simply do not know what the best response should be. Khalifa Araba, the Happy Single MOM podcast states ‘Our children ask the most innocent questions and we need to have an emotional awareness and safe space to be able to answer the question with grace, understanding and protect their feelings. 

Azaliya was raised by a single mother and wanted to have a book as an emotional outlet to ask the questions she had in her heart as a child with an absent father. This is an amazing, thought-provoking book and something that we need as parents’.

Schulz is an author of children’s books, has a strong desire to write inspiring children’s books on important topics, that help children to become independent and critical thinkers and create a supportive and loving community. 

To know more about Azaliya Schulz as an author as well as details of where to find her book, visit azaliyaschulz.com. This book is available on Amazon.

About the author: 

Azaliya is an author, a wife, and a mother to two girls. She is passionate about writing and creating children’s books on meaningful subjects. Through her books, she hopes to inspire children to become independent and critical thinkers, help make better choices, and facilitate a supportive and loving communities. This year she released the series of books, such as Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with Liam, the Smart Rabbit, Calming your Anger with Liam, the Smart Rabbit and Starting the School Year with Liam, the Smart Rabbit and Healthy Eating with Liam, the Smart Rabbit.