--- title: Diving Deeper Into This Unseen and Unsupported Group of Dads description: Read a recently released report from Ascend at the Aspen Institute with statistics on dads in college. image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_unsupported-fathers-deep-dive.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/diving-deeper-into-this-unseen-and-unsupported-group-of-dads#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [father involvement in education](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/father-involvement-in-education) # Diving Deeper Into This Unseen and Unsupported Group of Dads 1 min read ![Christopher A. Brown](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/chris_circle_icon.png?width=100&height=100&name=chris_circle_icon.png) [** Christopher A. Brown ** ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/author/christopher-a-brown) Chris serves as the President of National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), where he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of NFI's strategic plan and business model, as well as its operations and fundraising efforts. ![NFI_Blog_unsupported-fathers-deep-dive](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_unsupported-fathers-deep-dive.jpg?width=500&height=333&name=NFI_Blog_unsupported-fathers-deep-dive.jpg) In June of 2022, I introduced you to the 1 million dads in college, a group of dads in need that are [unseen and unsupported](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/these-fathers-are-unseen-and-unsupported) by the colleges they attend and by human service organizations. I called for fatherhood practitioners to take advantage of a hidden opportunity to serve these dads. In May of this year, I shared how you can support these dads by [connecting them to navigation services](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/how-to-support-this-unseen-and-unsupported-group-of-dads), a promising approach used in health care and child welfare that’s being piloted with parenting students. Recently, [Ascend at the Aspen Institute](https://ascend.aspeninstitute.org/about-ascend/), an organization that does an amazing job running and supporting initiatives that support parents and families, released [We Are Here Too: Who Are the 1 Million Fathers in College](https://ascendstories.aspeninstitute.org/one-million-student-fathers-chartbook/index.html), a “digital chartbook” that’s part of [a larger initiative](https://ascend.aspeninstitute.org/postsecondary-success-for-parents/) to support student parents. According to Ascend, this chartbook: > “…provides the first comprehensive look at available data on student fathers to help higher education institutions, policymakers, and advocates [emphasis added] understand who they are and how to support their success.” As an advocate for dads, I encourage you to read this engaging chartbook and encourage your colleagues who serve dads to do the same. Here are a few tidbits you’ll learn: - 15% of men in college are dads - 30% of all student parents are dads - A higher proportion of Black, Indigenous, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander men in college are dads, compared to other racial and ethnic groups - Nearly 70% of student dads are married You’ll also learn about other characteristics of student dads (e.g., age) and their experiences and needs (e.g., basic and healthcare), especially as they compare to and differ from those of student moms. And while you’re at it, check out the [*Snapshot in the Journey of a Student Father*](https://ascendstories.aspeninstitute.org/student-father-journey/index.html) that brings the data in the chartbook to life. Do you serve dads in college? If not, are there colleges or universities in your area with student dads who could use the support of your fatherhood program? [![he Benefits of Fatherhood Programs in Community-Based Organizations](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/135704/bbfbc796-8f3f-495b-a089-976b4f177f1f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/135704/bbfbc796-8f3f-495b-a089-976b4f177f1f) Date Published: 07/18/2023 Last Updated: 11/22/2024 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! [Get The Guide Now!](https://www.fatherhood.org/starting-a-fatherhood-program) ![7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png?width=700&height=700&name=7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png) [ Previous ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/fatherhood-initiative-dad-reunites-with-four-children-after-seven-years-separation) [ Next ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/strengthening-facilitation-skills-a-training-curriculum-for-programs-working-with-youth) ## Related Articles ### [Even More Ways to Help Dads Read to Their Children Last week, my colleague and friend Erik Vecere wrote in this blog about the benefits of dads reading to their children. He shared four ways you can help dads engage in this vital ... 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