--- title: Why You Really Do Need a Program Specifically for Fathers description: Read two research studies by fathers and mothers on the importance of fathers and how NFI's 24/7 Dad® program can help dads understand their importance. image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_program-specifically-for-fathers.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/why-you-really-do-need-a-program-specifically-for-fathers#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) [NFI-Specific Programs & Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/nfi-specific-programs-resources) # Why You Really Do Need a Program Specifically for Fathers 3 min read ![NFI_Blog_program-specifically-for-fathers](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_program-specifically-for-fathers.jpg?width=452&name=NFI_Blog_program-specifically-for-fathers.jpg) Separate but Equal. Yep, that’s right, I said it! But I’m not referring to the historic topic of racial segregation, but to the idea that in terms of parenting programs, what mothers need and what fathers need are equally important. And it’s really okay that each program is somewhat different—and separate.  According to Dr. Kyle Pruitt in the brief video *[The Evolution of Dad](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ0iJmyE-7I)*, “One of the most important things about dad is that he is not mom.” I couldn’t have said it better. Yet, we all know too well that there are many supports and services geared specially toward moms. For example, the well known WIC program (which stands for Women Infants and Children) does not, it it's name alone, send an inviting message for dads. And there's more... On a site-visit a to a Head Start location a few years ago, I saw a big, colorful sign at the front entrance that read, “Welcome Moms!”. Now you know I had to ask, where’s the “Welcome Dads!” sign? Even the term “parenting program” or even “parent teacher night” often has an understanding that the focus is geared toward moms. And then there’s The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) whose membership is historically made up of mostly moms. This past year while in a doctor’s waiting room, I picked up a Parents® Magazine. Mind you, I’m a grandparent so this is not a magazine I run to in a doctor’s waiting room. It's been a number of years since NFI approached the publishers of the magazine to be more inclusive of fathers, so I thought I would check to see if anything had changed. To my dismay, there was only a half-page article that had anything to do with fathers in the entire magazine. Even the ads and images were primarily geared toward women and mothers. It surprises me that even in our progressive day and age, in so many places we look, the term “parent” still ends up referring to Mom. This is true despite the fact that we were talking about this challenge back in 2012 in a Father Factor blog titled, *[Parenting is Still a Code Word for “Mothering](https://www.fatherhood.org/bid/135278/parenting-is-still-a-code-word-for-mothering)”*. NFI makes the distinction between fathering and parenting because of the meaning that parenting has in our culture. Specifically, as the 2012 blog article was titled, parenting is a code word for “mothering.” So, when fathers hear messages for and about resources for “parents”, they often assume (correctly or incorrectly) that it’s something for mothers. **And this is why you really do need a program specifically for fathers.** So, what sets a fatherhood program apart? Fatherhood programs focus on specific fathering skills that make up the way men parent. They address the differences between fathering and parenting. They bring attention to content on masculinity or what it means to be a man as an important aspect to address in the father’s role. They help men discover that both mothers and fathers can nurture, but they're likely to do it differently. And these differences are incredibly beneficial to their child’s development. In NFI’s [24/7 Dad](https://store.fatherhood.org/complete-program-kit-24-7-dad-am-3rd-ed/)[® ](https://store.fatherhood.org/complete-program-kit-24-7-dad-am-3rd-ed/)[program](https://store.fatherhood.org/complete-program-kit-24-7-dad-am-3rd-ed/) there are 5 characteristics that are threaded throughout the program sessions related to becoming a 24/7 Dad. They are: - Self-Awareness - *knows his strengths and weaknesses* - Caring for Self - *cares for himself* - Fathering Skills - *knows how to father* - Parenting Skills - *knows how to parent* - Relationship Skills – *builds healthy relationships with family and community* Further, a practical reason why it is so important to have a program specifically for fathers is that it will likely have “father” or “dad” in the name—this alone makes it easier to recruit fathers into your program. In fact, NFI’s 24/7 Dad® program includes marketing materials and recruitment strategies that are specifically geared to fathers. (For fatherhood program recruitment ideas, check out NFI’s [free resource to Recruit & Retain Dads](https://www.fatherhood.org/keeping-fathers-interested-in-fatherhood-program) .) Don’t let dads be the forgotten parent. Consider adding a program specifically for fathers to your offerings in the coming year. For more information on NFI’s programs for dads, visit our [Programs page](https://store.fatherhood.org/programs/) on FatherSource™. [![Fundraising for Fatherhood Programs Webinar](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/135704/475ca806-65ae-4ab5-a628-14b7be4bc0a4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/135704/475ca806-65ae-4ab5-a628-14b7be4bc0a4) Date Published: 12/10/2019 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/this-outstanding-new-resource-on-fathering-will-help-you-better-serve-dads) [ Next ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/be-aware-10-economic-and-financial-forces-that-affect-co-parenting) ## Related Articles ### [Five Leadership Practices That Build Father-Inclusive Organizations Image created with GPT Image 2. Creating a father-inclusive organization doesn't happen through a new but isolated fatherhood program, staff training on how to include fathers, or ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/five-leadership-practices-that-build-father-inclusive-organizations) ### [Beyond Graduation: Keeping Fathers Connected Image created with GPT Image 2. Many organizations do a good job recruiting fathers and helping them complete a fatherhood program. But what happens after the program ends? How do ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/beyond-graduation-keeping-fathers-connected) ### [Funding A Father-Inclusive Effort For Non-Governmental Organizations Image created with GPT Image 2. Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) struggle to identify funding sources for fatherhood initiatives and programs. After all, beyond the ... 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