The whole world recently got a very bad example of marital fidelity from an American CEO who was caught on camera having an affair with his Vice President for Human Resources during a Coldplay concert. The video went viral and many people found it funny, but I think it was a tragic sign of why American civilization is under threat. It is not an exaggeration when a U.S. professor titles a book about strong families, “Get Married, Forge Strong Families and Save Civilization.”

The Philippine Constitution is very clear about marriage being an “inviolable institution,” which makes it difficult for pro-divorce advocates to defend their cause in our society. In many societies today, especially the more economically developed ones, divorce is only one cause of the destruction of the family as the strong foundation of society. Single parenthood, where the father is usually the one who is absent, is another reason for the breakdown of the American family.

One does not have to turn to religious belief to defend the marriage institution in any society. Social scientists have found abundant empirical evidence in their research on the role of an always-present father in the upbringing of children. Over the past several decades, social science research has increasingly emphasized the significant role fathers play in the upbringing and development of children. While early research focused mostly on mothers, contemporary studies highlight that fathers contribute in distinct and meaningful ways to a child’s emotional, cognitive, and social well-being.

1. Emotional and economic development

Warm, engaged fathering is associated with higher self-esteem, greater social competence, and fewer behavioral problems in children.

Children with involved fathers tend to have stronger emotional regulation skills and more secure attachments.

Father involvement is linked with reduced rates of aggression, delinquency, and risk behaviors, especially during adolescence.

2. Cognitive and academic outcomes

Children whose fathers are involved in reading, play, and learning activities tend to perform better academically.

Father engagement correlates with higher IQ scores, better language development, and enhanced problem-solving skills.

Paternal involvement during early childhood is associated with better school readiness and long-term academic success.

3. Gender identity and role modeling

Fathers often serve as important role models, especially in gender identity development. For boys, involved fathers can promote healthy masculinity, emotional expression, and respect for others. For girls, positive father-daughter relationships are linked to higher self-esteem, positive body image, and healthy relationships later in life.

4. Long-term life outcomes

Adults who had nurturing, present fathers are more likely to experience stable employment, healthy relationships, and better mental health.

Some studies suggest a correlation between father involvement and lower rates of incarceration, substance abuse, and mental illness in adulthood.

5. Unique contributions of fathers

Fathers often engage in more physical and stimulating play, which supports risk assessment, independence, and resilience in children.

They may also challenge children differently, promoting problem-solving and emotional regulation through a different interaction style compared to mothers.

6. Quality of involvement

The quality of involvement matters more than simply being present. A disengaged or abusive father can have negative effects.

Cultural, socioeconomic, and family structure variables also shape how fatherhood is expressed and experienced. For example, in a good number of Filipino families, especially at the low-income and low-middle income levels, many fathers work overseas (as is the case with seafarers). Consistent, positive engagement (e.g., smartphone conversations, visits, emotional support) can still be beneficial. The coparenting relationship between spouses can also significantly influence a father’s ability to remain involved. There is more than enough evidence from social science research that fathers are not just secondary caregivers, but central figures in the development of their children. Their presence, engagement, and emotional support have lasting impacts across all areas of a child’s life.

An American social scientist who has published extensively on the role of fathers in child-rearing is Brad Wilcox, who wrote the book Get Married, Forge Strong Families, Save Civilization. According to Wilcox, fathers generally complement mothers in their distinctive roles and parenting styles. They engage in more active play—often encouraging risk and physical interaction—and tend to be firmer disciplinarians, complementing the nurturing style more common among mothers. He recommends balanced co-parenting: the combination of a mother’s empathy and a father’s firmness creates a well-rounded approach to child-rearing. In his book, Religion, Race, and Relationships in America, Wilcox identifies five areas where fathers make unique contributions in the upbringing of children: financial provision; protection from abuse/neglect; teaching emotional and behavioral regulation (especially through play); discipline (notably with sons); and modeling healthy male-female relationships.

The continued and strong presence of the father in a family with children has been empirically proven to have the following outcomes:

Reduced negative outcomes: Boys raised in intact, married families are about 50 percent less likely to end up incarcerated compared to those in single-parent or step-family settings.

Lower risk of sexual abuse: Children in intact homes are nearly 50 percent less likely to experience sexual abuse.

Fewer teen pregnancies: Girls separated from fathers often experience earlier puberty, earlier sexual activity, and are three times more likely to become unwed mothers.

Community-level benefits: Areas with high rates of fatherless households see significantly more violent crime, including robbery and murder.

What about the long-term academic, behavioral, and emotional development of children? Wilcox's studies showed that, regarding academic performance, children in intact families consistently show higher grades. For example, among White Americans, 85 percent in intact families get A’s and B’s, versus 63 percent in father-absent homes. Among Black and Hispanic children, the gap is even more glaring. Married dads living with their kids spend about ten times more time with them than non-residential fathers. In the State of Virginia, for example, married fathers were about three times more likely to be highly involved compared to cohabitating dads. In research conducted with young men, Wilcox found that those who grew up without their biological fathers experienced: much lower college graduation rates (14 percent vs. 35 percent); about a 70 percent higher likelihood of being idle (neither working nor in school) in their mid-20s; and almost double the chance of incarceration by age 30. These negative effects of paternal absence are stronger than those tied to race or socioeconomic background.

Those of us who participated in the writing of the Philippine Constitution of 1987 are very happy that we insisted on including two self-evident truths in our fundamental law: that marriage is an inviolable institution and that the family is the foundation of a strong society. Wilcox presents hard evidence from his social science research that marriage enhances father involvement; it is the most reliable institution for ensuring fathers are actively present in their children’s lives. This inviolable institution also ensures greater human happiness. The General Social Survey also validated the hypothesis that a marriage with children leads to greater human happiness compared to childless ones. About 40 percent of married women with children report being “very happy” compared with only 25 percent of married childless women. Some 35 percent of married fathers report the same, versus less than 15 percent of unmarried fathers. Wilcox argues from evidence that marriage and parenthood together have the strongest link to adult happiness, above factors like income or career.

To be continued.