Research Reveals Why Today’s Dads Matter to Future Fathers

Father’s Day is a time to honor the dads we know and love—and Barna data reminds us just how powerful a father’s presence is, especially when it comes to boys who may become fathers in the future. Here are key insights from our research in partnership with BetterMan:

The Father-Son Connection

What happens between fathers and sons doesn’t stay in childhood.

Practicing Christian men who experienced positive relationships with their fathers growing up are more likely to report high satisfaction with their own children. Over half in this group (53%) say they’re very satisfied in their relationship with their children, compared to 44 percent of those whose paternal relationships were negative.

Looking at the chart, you’ll also see the significant dip in relational satisfaction among practicing Christian men who describe their childhood relationship with their father as neutral—they show less satisfaction than even those who had negative paternal relationships.

These notable differences reveal some of the ripple effects that childhood experiences with one’s dad create. Furthermore, a lukewarm connection may be more damaging when it comes to father-son bonds.

This highlights an opportunity for intervention and support in the Church, particularly for boys and men who lack strong paternal relationships. Practicing Christian men who experienced positive relationships with their fathers demonstrate significantly higher satisfaction across multiple areas of life. They’re more content in their parenting, marriages, careers and overall well-being.

The Community Effect

Even for men who lack positive paternal relationships, community and mentorship can help fill these gaps.

Based on our research, men overall who maintain intergenerational friendships show significantly higher satisfaction rates. Fathers in this group are nearly twice as likely to report being very satisfied in their relationship with their children (54% vs. 30%) compared to those without such connections. We also see a significant difference when it comes to marriage satisfaction (63% vs. 54%).

Churches have a unique opportunity here to help men and fathers intentionally connect across age groups. We even see that dads who participate in men’s ministry demonstrate higher satisfaction in their relationship with their children, and men overall in this group show higher levels of satisfaction across multiple domains including better spiritual health, work-life balance and future outlook.

Takeaways for Fathers

Remember that your role extends far beyond protecting and providing.

The research makes clear the influence of a father. As a dad, the question isn’t whether you’ll have an impact—you will. The question is what kind of impact you’ll choose to make. Consider these takeaways as you endeavor to consistently show up well:

• Prioritize being present. Form a strong, positive bond with your child now, knowing this will have lasting effects into their adulthood. Remember, a lukewarm or distant relationship can be more damaging than you might think.
• Build community around fatherhood. Join or create groups where you and other dads can learn from and celebrate one another. Community support makes a measurable difference in fatherhood success.
• Seek mentorship. Connect with older men and fathers who’ve navigated similar challenges. Their wisdom can transform your approach to parenting and life.
• Invest in the next generation. Pour into younger men who need father figures. You’ll find that this type of generosity creates its own rewards.