NRFC 

Quick Statistics 

2007 

National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse  101 Lake Forest Boulevard, Suite 360  Gaithersburg, MD 20877 

 Toll-free: 1 (877) 4DAD411  Fax: (301) 948-4325  www.fatherhood.gov 

Fathers: Attitudes, Values, Expectations, and Motivations 

Responses from Men (Ages 15-44) who Have No Children to the Question, 

“If it turns out that you do not have any children, would that bother you?” by Age (2002) 

Age

A great 

deal Some A little Not at all 

15-24 years 34.6% 31.1% 15.6% 18.7% 

25-29 years 32.1% 36.8% 19.1% 12.1% 

30-44 years 18.1% 29.1% 18.4% 34.5% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma, J.C., Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• Younger men ages 15-24 who have not had children are the most likely to say that they 

would be bothered a great deal by not having any children (34.6%), while older men 

ages 30-44 are least likely (18.1%). 

Responses from Men (Ages 15-44) who Have No Children to the Question, “If it turns out 

that you do not have any children, would that bother you?” by Current Religion (2002) 

Current Religion

A great 

deal Some A little Not at all 

None 22.7% 29.8% 18.1% 29.3% 

Fundamentalist 

Protestant 35.1% 21.1% 23.0% 20.8% 

Other 

Protestant 32.1% 33.0% 15.7% 19.2% 

Catholic 31.7% 31.4% 16.7% 20.2% 

Other Religion 27.5% 32.1% 17.5% 22.9% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma, J.C., Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• Men who do not identify with any formal religion are the least likely group to be bothered 

a great deal by the idea of not having any children (22.7%). Men who identify 

themselves as Fundamentalist Protestants are the most likely group to be bothered a 

great deal by the idea of not having any children (35.1%), with Other Protestants and 

Catholics close behind at 32.1% and 31.7% respectively. 
 

NRFC Quick Statistics 

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Responses from Men (Ages 15-44) who Have No Children to the Question, “If it turns out 

that you do not have any children, would that bother you?” by Union Status (2002) 

Union Status

A great 

deal Some A little Not at all 

Currently 

Married 28.8% 32.0% 15.7% 23.5% 

Currently 

Cohabiting 21.5% 35.3% 24.8% 18.4% 

Never Married, 

Not Cohabiting 30.8% 30.9% 16.2% 22.1% 

Formerly 

Married, Not 

Cohabiting 22.9% 31.0% 21.6% 24.5% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma, J.C., Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• Unmarried men who are not currently in cohabiting relationships are the most likely 

group to report that they would be very bothered by not ever having children (30.8%). 

This group is followed closely by currently married men (28.8%), formerly married men 

(22.9%), and men who are currently cohabiting (21.5%). 

• Currently cohabiting men are the least likely to report that they would be not at all 

bothered by not having children (18.4%). 

Responses of Men (Ages 15-44) to the Statement, “It is much better for everyone if the 

man earns the living and the woman takes care of the home and family” 

by Importance of Religion (2002) 

Importance of 

Religion

Strongly 

Agree Agree 

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree 

Strongly 

Disagree 

Very Important 9.2% 39.4% 3.2% 42.3% 5.9% 

Somewhat 

Important 5.4% 28.4% 3.9% 50.2% 12.1% 

Not Important 4.3% 19.6% 4.3% 55.2% 16.6% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma, J.C., Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• Men for whom religion is very important are the most likely to agree or strongly agree 

that it is better for everyone if the man earns the living and the woman takes care of the 

home and family (48.6%), followed by those for whom religion is somewhat important 

(33.8%), and finally those for whom religion is not important (23.9%). 
 

NRFC Quick Statistics 

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Responses of Men (Ages 15-44) to the Statement, “It is much better for everyone if the 

man earns the living and the woman takes care of the home and family” by Parity (2002) 

Parity

Strongly 

Agree Agree 

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree 

Strongly 

Disagree 

No children 5.4% 27.5% 3.8% 50.2% 13.1% 

1 or more 

children 7.8% 33.1% 3.7% 46.7% 8.6% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma, J.C., Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• More men without children disagree or strongly disagree with the statement, “It is much 

better for everyone if the man earns the living and the woman takes care of the home 

and family” (63.3%) than do men with children (55.3%). 

Responses of Men (Ages 15-44) to the Statement, “It is more important for a man to 

spend a lot of time with his family than to be successful at his career,” by Age (2002) 

Age

Strongly 

Agree Agree 

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree 

Strongly 

Disagree 

15-24 14.5% 56.9% 4.8% 22.6% 1.2% 

25-29 14.6% 58.5% 5.9% 19.6% 1.4% 

30-44 24.1% 56.3% 4.2% 14.1% 1.4% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma, J.C., Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• In comparison to younger men, males ages 30-44 are more likely to strongly agree that it 

is more important for men to spend a lot of time with their families than to have a 

successful career, 24.1 percent compared to less than 15 percent. 
 

NRFC Quick Statistics 

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Responses of Men (Ages 15-44) to the Statement, “It is more important for a man to 

spend a lot of time with his family than to be successful at his career,” 

by Poverty Level (2002) 

Percent of 

Poverty Level

Strongly 

Agree Agree 

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree 

Strongly 

Disagree 

0-149 percent 19.0% 51.4% 6.2% 21.0% 2.3% 

150-299 percent 20.8% 58.7% 5.3% 13.7% 1.5% 

300 percent or 

higher 22.0% 57.6% 3.9% 15.6% 1.0% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma, J.C., Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• Men living below 150 percent of the poverty level are less likely than non-poor men to 

agree or strongly agree that time with family is more important than success in one’s 

career, 70.4 percent compared to over 79 percent. 

Responses of Men (Ages 15-44) to the Statement, “It is more important for a man to 

spend a lot of time with his family than to be successful at his career,” 

by Union Status (2002) 

Union Status

Strongly 

Agree Agree 

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree 

Strongly 

Disagree 

Currently 

Married 25.8% 56.4% 3.9% 12.8% 1.2% 

Currently 

Cohabiting 15.1% 56.5% 8.7% 18.6% 1.1% 

Never Married, 

not Cohabiting 13.9% 57.2% 5.0% 22.3% 1.7% 

Formerly 

Married, not 

Cohabiting 21.0% 57.6% 1.7% 18.8% 1.0% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma, J.C., Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• Currently married men are less likely than others to disagree or strongly disagree that 

spending time with family is more important than being successful at one’s career, 14.0 

percent compared with 19.7 percent to 24.0 percent for men in other types of unions. 
 

NRFC Quick Statistics 

Fathers: Attitudes, Values, Expectations, and Motivations 

1 (877)4DAD411 Page 5 of 11 www.fatherhood.gov

Cohabitation and Expectations about Marriage, Men Ages 15-44 (2002) 

Distribution of cohabiting men’s answers to the question, 

“What is the chance that you and your partner will marry?” 

Age 

No 

chance 

A little 

chance 

50-50 

chance 

A pretty 

good 

chance 

An almost 

certain 

chance 

15-24 years 6.0% 6.4% 21.2% 23.8% 42.5% 

25-29 years * * 18.5% 28.8% 49.2% 

30-44 years 5.5% 9.9% 13.5% 20.3% 50.9% 

Total 4.5% 6.6% 17.0% 23.8% 48.1% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma JC, Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• Cohabiting young men ages 15-24 appear somewhat less likely than older men to say 

that there is “an almost certain chance that they will marry their partner.” 

Men’s Cohabitation and Expectations about Marriage (Ages 15-44), 

by Fatherhood Status with Current Partner (2002) 

Distribution of cohabiting men’s answers to the question, 

“What is the chance that you and your partner will marry?” 

No 

chance 

A little 

chance 

50-50 

chance 

A pretty 

good 

chance 

An almost 

certain 

chance 

Had a child with 

this partner 4.5% 4.6% 18.8% 21.8% 50.3% 

Did not have a 

child with this 

partner 4.4% 8.2% 15.7% 25.3% 46.4% 

Total 4.5% 6.6% 17.0% 23.8% 48.1% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma JC, Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• Cohabiting men who had a child with their current partner were moderately more likely 

than those who had no had a child with their current partner to report “an almost certain 

chance” that they would marry (50.3% compared with 46.4%). 
 

NRFC Quick Statistics 

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Men’s Cohabitation and Expectations about Marriage (Ages 15-44), 

by Importance of Religion (2002) 

Distribution of cohabiting men’s answers to the question, 

“What is the chance that you and your partner will marry?” 

Importance of 

Religion 

No 

chance 

A little 

chance 

50-50 

chance 

A pretty 

good 

chance 

An almost 

certain 

chance 

Very Important 2.6% 5.7% 10.5% 26.4% 54.8% 

Somewhat 

Important 7.3% 8.2 22.1% 26.8% 35.7% 

Not Important 4.1% 6.3% 19.3% 18.6% 51.7% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma J.C., Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• Cohabiting men who hold religion as somewhat important were less likely to say that 

they were almost certainly going to marry their current partners (35.7%) than those for 

whom religion is very important (54.8%) or not important (51.7%). 

Men’s Beliefs about the Rewards of Parenting, by Age (2002) 

Distribution of men’s responses to the statement, “The 

rewards of being a parent are worth it, despite the cost and 

the work it takes.” 

Age 

Strongly 

Agree Agree 

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree 

Strongly 

Disagree 

15-24 years 38.7% 52.7% 1.9% 5.6% 1.1% 

25-29 years 54.4% 40.8% 1.5% 2.8% * 

30-44 years 59.4% 35.5% 1.3% 3.3% .6% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma JC, Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• Across all age groups, the vast majority of men agree or strongly agree that the rewards 

of being a parent are worth it, despite the cost and work it takes.

• Men in the youngest age group (15-24 years old) are least likely to strongly agree that 

the rewards of being a parent are worth it, 38.7 percent compared with 54.4 percent for 

ages 25-29 and 59.4 percent for ages 30-44. 
 

NRFC Quick Statistics 

Fathers: Attitudes, Values, Expectations, and Motivations 

1 (877)4DAD411 Page 7 of 11 www.fatherhood.gov

Men’s Beliefs about the Rewards of Parenting (Ages 15-44), by Parental Status (2002) 

Distribution of men’s responses to the statement, “The 

rewards of being a parent are worth it, despite the cost and 

the work it takes.” 

Age 

Strongly 

Agree Agree 

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree 

Strongly 

Disagree 

No Children 38.0% 52.1% 2.7% 6.2% 1.0% 

1 or More 

Children 67.5% 30.4% .2% 1.4% .5% 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma J.C., Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• More than 97 percent of men with at least one child either agree or strongly agree with 

the statement that the rewards of being a parent are worth it, despite the cost and the 

work it takes. 

Men’s Beliefs about the Rewards of Parenting (Ages 15-44), by Union Status (2002) 

Distribution of men’s responses to the statement, “The 

rewards of being a parent are worth it, despite the cost and 

the work it takes.” 

Age 

Strongly 

Agree Agree 

Neither 

Agree nor 

Disagree Disagree 

Strongly 

Disagree 

Currently 

Married 66.8% 30.8% .4% 1.9% * 

Currently 

Cohabiting 50.2% 40.8% 2.7% 5.6% * 

Never Married, 

not Cohabiting 36.4% 54.0% 2.4% 5.9% 1.4% 

Formerly 

Married, not 

Cohabiting 54.6% 39.8% 1.5% 2.9% 1.2% 

Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision 

Source: Martinez GM, Chandra A., Abma JC, Jones J, Mosher WD. Fertility, Contraception, and Fatherhood: Data on Men and 

Women From Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(26). 

• Currently married men are the most likely to strongly agree with the statement that the 

rewards of being a parent are worth it, despite the cost and the work it takes (66.8%), 

while never married not cohabitating men are the least likely (36.4%). 
 

NRFC Quick Statistics 

Fathers: Attitudes, Values, Expectations, and Motivations 

1 (877)4DAD411 Page 8 of 11 www.fatherhood.gov

Single Mothers’ and Fathers’ Beliefs about Marriage and Cohabitation 

Percent who Agree with the Statement 

Mothers Fathers 

Cohabiting produces benefits of 

marriage. 58% 66% 

Cohabiting without marriage is 

okay. 66% 78% 

Cohabiting reduces the chances 

of divorce. 55% 66% 

Single parents can raise children 

as well as married couples. 87% 64% 

Source: Mincy, R. et al., (2004). Fragile families in focus: Executive summary. Baton Rouge, LA: TANF Executive Office of 

Oversight and Evaluation, 12, Chart VIII. National Fatherhood Initiative. (2007). Father Facts 5. Gaithersburg, MD: National 

Fatherhood Initiative. Pg. 89. Data are representative of fathers in U.S. cities with populations over 200,000. 

• Single mothers are more likely than single fathers to believe that single parents can raise 

children as well as married couples can (87% versus 64%). 

• Single fathers are more likely than are single mothers to believe that cohabiting 

produces the same benefits as marriage (66% versus 58%). 

• Single fathers are also more likely than single mothers to believe that cohabiting without 

marriage is okay (78% versus 66%). 
 

NRFC Quick Statistics 

Fathers: Attitudes, Values, Expectations, and Motivations 

1 (877)4DAD411 Page 9 of 11 www.fatherhood.gov

Men’s and Women’s Attitudes about the Fulfillment of Having Children (Ages 18-64), 

by Educational Attainment (1994) 

Percentage of adults who agree or 

strongly agree that people who have never 

had children lead empty lives 

Educational Attainment Men Women 

Less than High School 41% 38% 

High School/GED 20% 17% 

Vocational/Technical or Some College 12% 12% 

College Graduate 13% 7% 

Note: Estimates calculated by Child Trends based on analyses of the 1994 and 1998 General Social Surveys. Child Trends. (2002). 

Source: “Charting Parenthood: A Statistical Portrait of Fathers and Mothers.” Washington, DC: Child Trends. 

• Men who have attained less than a high school education are the most likely to agree 

that people have never had children lead empty lives, 41 percent compared to 20 

percent or less for men with higher levels of education. Women show a similar pattern. 

• Men of all educational levels are equally or more likely than are women to agree that 

people who have never had children lead empty lives. 

Quality that Fathers Think is the Most Important for their Child (under 13) to Learn, 

by Race of Father (1997) 

Race of Father 

White Black Hispanic 

Obey 16% 28% 50% 

Be Liked 1% 0% 9% 

Think for Oneself 59% 40% 18% 

Work Hard 17% 26% 13% 

Help Others in Need 7% 6% 11% 

Note: Estimates calculated by Child Trends based on analyses of the 1997 Panel Study of Income Dynamics – 

Child Development Supplement. Child Trends. (2002). 

Source: “Charting Parenthood: A Statistical Portrait of Fathers and Mothers.” Washington, DC: Child Trends. 

• The ability to think for oneself was the most important quality for children to learn for 

both white and black fathers (59% and 40%, respectively). 

• Hispanic fathers were most likely to view obedience as the most important quality for 

their children to learn, 50 percent compared with 28 percent of black fathers and 10 

percent of white fathers. 
 

NRFC Quick Statistics 

Fathers: Attitudes, Values, Expectations, and Motivations 

1 (877)4DAD411 Page 10 of 11 www.fatherhood.gov

• Parents of all races were least likely to count “being liked” as the most important quality 

for their children to learn compared to other qualities. 

• Hard work was valued most highly by black fathers (26%) as important for their children 

to learn. 

Adults’ Attitudes about Spanking (Ages 18-65), 

by Educational Attainment and Gender (2000) 

Percent of males and females who agree that it is 

sometimes necessary to give a child a 

good, hard spanking. 

Educational Attainment Male Female 

Less than High School 87% 80% 

High School/GED 82% 75% 

Vocational/Technical or 

Some College 88% 73% 

College Graduate 66% 55% 

Note: Estimates calculated by Child Trends based on analyses of the 1994 and 1998 General Social Surveys. Child Trends. (2002).

Source: “Charting Parenthood: A Statistical Portrait of Fathers and Mothers.” Washington, DC: Child Trends. 

• Regardless of educational level, the majority of men and women in 2000 agreed that it is 

sometimes necessary to give a child a good, hard spanking. 

• Men of all levels of educational attainment were more likely than women to agree that it 

is sometimes necessary to give children a good, hard spanking. 

• Both men and women who graduated from college were less likely to agree that it is 

sometimes necessary to spank children than were those who attained lower levels of 

education. 
 

NRFC Quick Statistics 

Fathers: Attitudes, Values, Expectations, and Motivations 

1 (877)4DAD411 Page 11 of 11 www.fatherhood.gov

Fathers’ Attitudes about Responsibility for Various Aspects of Child Care 

(Children under age 13), 1997 

Locus of Responsibility 

Childcare Activities Someone Else Shared Father Only 

Playing with children 4% 91% 6% 

Disciplining children 3% 89% 8% 

Choosing child care, 

preschool, or school 34% 60% 7% 

Note: Estimates calculated by Child Trends based on analyses of the 1997 Panel Study of Income Dynamics – Child Development 

Supplement. Child Trends. (2002). 

Source: “Charting Parenthood: A Statistical Portrait of Fathers and Mothers.” Washington, DC: Child Trends. 

• The majority of fathers reported that they shared responsibility for playing with children 

(91%), disciplining children (89%), and choosing child care, preschool, or school (60%).