North Carolina legislators on both sides of the aisle gathered this week to address a critical issue facing both the state and nation: the absence of fathers in too many households.
The US has the world’s highest rate of children living in single-parent households, according to Pew Research. As legislators highlighted during a press conference, about 25% of children in the US grow up without an active father in their home, which is three times the world average.
“We’ve had generations of breakdown of the nuclear family, and it’s caused us significant problems,” said state Rep. David Willis, R-Union. “This goes across demographic lines, racial lines, economic lines. This touches every part of this country, and we’ve got too many children that are being left behind, too many children that are suffering because of that.”
About 80% of single-parent households in the United States in 2023 were headed by single mothers. In North Carolina alone, over 35% of children live in single-parent homes, lawmakers said.
To address the growing cultural issue, Republican and Democratic lawmakers are pushing a program to expand into schools across North Carolina to bolster fatherhood. The nonprofit organization Family First is dedicated to mentoring and supporting fathers through its All Pro Dads program, which they want to expand across North Carolina in partnership with the legislature.
Founded nearly 30 years ago by Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy and Family First president Mark Merrill, the program encourages fathers to commit just “a minute a day, an hour a month, and a day a year” to engage with their children. Speakers highlighted the many ways fathers are crucial to a child’s upbringing, from learning to shave to speaking confidently, carrying oneself with authority, and tying a necktie.
“All Pro Dad is on a mission to help fathers lead and love their family well, and help men with really what’s their most important job, and that’s being an engaged dad,” said Patrick Stevens, the organization’s government liaison.
With 72 chapters already active in North Carolina and 1,500 nationwide, the program offers daily emails with parenting tips, monthly school-based meetings, and annual events at NFL and NCAA stadiums. Last year’s annual event was held at the Bank of America Stadium with Panthers head coach Dave Canales.
Legislation filed in the House earlier this month would provide $2 million in nonrecurring funding to expand the All Pro Dad program in North Carolina. According to the bill, the money would go toward increasing All Pro Dad Chapters in schools, holding events that encourage father-child engagement and foster improved communication between children and fathers, and distributing resources to help fathers enhance their parenting skills and become more involved in their children’s lives.
Legislators would like to see the program expand to all K-5 schools in the state that choose to participate, with the goal of doubling the number of chapters in North Carolina within a year.
Minority Leader Robert Reives, D-Chatham, underscored the numerous consequences of a father’s absence from their children.
“Children without fathers are four times more likely to live in poverty, 279% more likely to be involved with substance abuse. And conversely, children with involved dads are more likely to succeed academically, avoid substance abuse, and thrive economically and socially,” said Reives. “It’s probably more important today, now than ever, for fathers to be involved with their children.”
The bill also establishes the Responsible Fatherhood NC program, allocating $3 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to contract a nonprofit for a statewide fatherhood initiative.
Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, was mentioned during the press conference as the newest All Pro Dad. His wife gave birth to their son on Tuesday, which was announced during the House floor session.
Some personal news… 👶🏼 https://t.co/lRu6Do35rZ
— Speaker Destin Hall (@ncspeakerhall) April 15, 2025
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