NOVEMBER 17, 2026 · BAKER BOOKS

THE
FATHERHOOD
EFFECT

Consequences of a Dad-Deprived Culture and Practical Strategies for Positive Change

Fathers who are present and involved in the lives of their families are vital to the health and wholeness of not just their own children, but our society at large.

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Silhouettes of a father and child in blue
Silhouettes of a father and child in blue
A father and a young girl sitting together near a window, with a blue color overlay. The man is smiling and the girl looks serious.
A father and a young girl sitting together near a window, with a blue color overlay. The man is smiling and the girl looks serious.
A dad and two children on a blanket indoors, engaged in a playful activity. The man is leaning over, holding one child's hand, while the children are on their stomachs, playing and looking down.
A dad and two children on a blanket indoors, engaged in a playful activity. The man is leaning over, holding one child's hand, while the children are on their stomachs, playing and looking down.
A father at the beach lifting a young girl in the air. The girl is holding a stick and appears to be shouting or laughing. The background shows the ocean and sky.
A father at the beach lifting a young girl in the air. The girl is holding a stick and appears to be shouting or laughing. The background shows the ocean and sky.
A father and a young girl sitting closely together, facing each other, with the dad’s eyes closed and the girl holding his hands in a gentle, emotional moment.
A father and a young girl sitting closely together, facing each other, with the dad’s eyes closed and the girl holding his hands in a gentle, emotional moment.
A dad with short curly hair, wearing a white t-shirt, is holding a young child with curly hair and light skin. The man is looking down at the child, who is sitting in his arm and making eye contact with the camera.
A dad with short curly hair, wearing a white t-shirt, is holding a young child with curly hair and light skin. The man is looking down at the child, who is sitting in his arm and making eye contact with the camera.
Several pigeons are gathered on a sidewalk, with two pigeons in flight above them. People are walking in the background, and the scene is illuminated with a blue tint.
Several pigeons are gathered on a sidewalk, with two pigeons in flight above them. People are walking in the background, and the scene is illuminated with a blue tint.
A young girl with curly hair embraces her dad, both smiling and looking at the camera, in a brightly lit indoor setting.
A young girl with curly hair embraces her dad, both smiling and looking at the camera, in a brightly lit indoor setting.
A young boy with dark, messy hair and a big smile, sitting on a father's shoulders, with their hands on his head.
A young boy with dark, messy hair and a big smile, sitting on a father's shoulders, with their hands on his head.
A dad holding a baby in a room with shelves and cans in the background, both looking at the camera.
A dad holding a baby in a room with shelves and cans in the background, both looking at the camera.
A father holding a young child outdoors, both smiling, with trees and grass in the background.
A father holding a young child outdoors, both smiling, with trees and grass in the background.
A dad playing with two children in a park with flowering trees, with a blue color overlay.
A dad playing with two children in a park with flowering trees, with a blue color overlay.
Group of people playing tug-of-war outdoors during daytime, with a father and two children pulling on a rope, surrounded by greenery and decorative lanterns hanging from trees.
Group of people playing tug-of-war outdoors during daytime, with a father and two children pulling on a rope, surrounded by greenery and decorative lanterns hanging from trees.
A girl with wet hair playing on a sandy beach with her dad during daytime.
A girl with wet hair playing on a sandy beach with her dad during daytime.
A man with tattoos and a cap is playing with a young boy in a backyard, blowing bubbles.
A man with tattoos and a cap is playing with a young boy in a backyard, blowing bubbles.
A and a young girl holding hands while walking on a sidewalk at night, with a plant in a large round container nearby, tree trunks, a wall with patterned ventilation blocks, and a leafy tree in the background, all illuminated by blue-tinted lighting.
A and a young girl holding hands while walking on a sidewalk at night, with a plant in a large round container nearby, tree trunks, a wall with patterned ventilation blocks, and a leafy tree in the background, all illuminated by blue-tinted lighting.
A father and a young girl sitting on the floor of a living room, smiling at the camera. The girl is wearing a large bow on her head, and the man is wearing glasses. Behind them is a bed and a framed picture of a lizard on the wall.
A father and a young girl sitting on the floor of a living room, smiling at the camera. The girl is wearing a large bow on her head, and the man is wearing glasses. Behind them is a bed and a framed picture of a lizard on the wall.
A dad with tattoos on his arm holding a young girl, both smiling and looking down. The girl wears a headband with a bow. They are outdoors with a blurred natural background.
A dad with tattoos on his arm holding a young girl, both smiling and looking down. The girl wears a headband with a bow. They are outdoors with a blurred natural background.
A father with a young boy on his shoulders on a grassy hillside with a scenic view of mountains and clouds in the background
A father with a young boy on his shoulders on a grassy hillside with a scenic view of mountains and clouds in the background
A dad with curly hair holding a young child with curly hair in a park with trees and a bench in the background.
A dad with curly hair holding a young child with curly hair in a park with trees and a bench in the background.

THE PROBLEM

A DAD-DEPRIVED CULTURE

40%

of children in the US are born to single mothers.

70%

In the African American community, that number jumps to 70 percent.

But even when a father is physically present in a household, that doesn't mean he is engaged with his children or leading his family.

Dad-Deprivation

A father who is present but not performing the act of fathering. Many children grow up with a father at home and are still dad-deprived… being married does not by itself determine involvement.

Father Absence

A father who is neither present nor involved. The reverse also holds: a birth outside marriage does not mean the father is gone, and Black fathers spend more time on average with their children than White fathers do.

WHAT RISES WHEN FATHERS ARE ABSENT

Juvenile Delinquency•Depression Anxiety•Abuse•Trauma•Incarceration•Infant Mortality•Risky Sexual Behavior in Teens • Poverty • Substance Abuse

CHILDREN FROM FATHERLESS HOMES ACCOUNT FOR

63%

of youth suicides

90%

of homeless and runaway youths

85%

of children with behavioral disorders

71%

of high school dropouts

70%

of juvenile incarceration

75%

of adolescent substance-abuse patients

U.S. Department of Justice data, cited in The Fatherhood Effect. More recent analysis ties fatherlessness to violent crime: every percentage-point increase in fatherlessness predicts a 3 percent increase in adolescent violence.

Book cover titled 'The Fatherhood Effect' by Anthony B. Bradley, featuring silhouettes of an adult and a child holding hands in front of a blue background.

THE BOOK

FATHERS AS FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS

In The Fatherhood Effect, Dr. Anthony B. Bradley explains the indispensable roles fathers play as foundational pillars in both their families and their communities. He unflinchingly exposes the disastrous results when fathers are absent or disengaged.

Crucially, he offers practical strategies to turn the tide of dad-deprivation, advocating for structural and institutional support to empower fathers and father-figures to joyously fill their essential role in crafting a thriving society through healthy and whole families.

Publisher — Baker Books
Publication date — November 17, 2026
Format — Paperback, 256 pages

More About The Book
A dad with a beard and short hair sitting on a couch while holding hands with a young child with curly hair, both facing each other and engaged in a moment of connection.
A dad with a beard and short hair sitting on a couch while holding hands with a young child with curly hair, both facing each other and engaged in a moment of connection.

FAITH TRANSMISSION

The single strongest predictor of whether a child keeps the faith is their relationship with their father. Thirty-five years of longitudinal data show a close bond with a father matters even more than one with a mother.

EMPATHY

Children learn empathy from their fathers, not just, as most assume, from their mothers. The more time a child spends with their father, the more empathetic they are shown to be as an adult.

A girl with wet hair playing with her father on a sandy beach, with water in the background.
A girl with wet hair playing with her father on a sandy beach, with water in the background.

FATHER FIGURES

Where a biological father is absent, grandfathers and mature father figures are equally effective, provided their presence is sustained and reliable rather than sporadic.

A young girl smiling and blowing bubbles while a young man in a cap and black shirt bends over to help her blow bubbles in a backyard with trees and a white structure.
A young girl smiling and blowing bubbles while a young man in a cap and black shirt bends over to help her blow bubbles in a backyard with trees and a white structure.

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Baker Book House
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Christianbook
Dr. Anthony Bradley

THE AUTHOR

ANTHONY BRADLEY

Anthony B. Bradley serves as a distinguished research fellow at The Acton Institute and Research Professor of Interdisciplinary and Theological Studies at Kuyper College. He previously served as professor of religious studies and director of the Center for the Study of Human Flourishing at The King's College and Theologian-In-Residence at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Lincoln Square.

Full bio & media
Full bio & media
Substack
Substack

TAKE ACTION

EVERYONE HAS A PART

The book argues that turning the tide takes sustained effort on four levels at once. No single intervention or policy reform, however well designed, is enough on its own.

Fathers

Show up day after day, with seriousness about the stakes and joy in the vocation, whatever the competing demands may be.

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Communities

Mentorship networks pairing younger fathers with experienced men, and a culture that honors fatherhood instead of mocking it.

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Society

Reforming the policies and cultural narratives that undermine family stability and discourage father involvement.

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Institutions

Churches, schools, social services, and health care reorienting programs around fathers as primary parents, not optional helpers.

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See all the ways to participate
See all the ways to participate

EVENTS

Want to host an event? Contact Dr. Bradley.

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STRONG FATHERS CHANGE CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES

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