In summary, children who grow up with both biological parents in a low-conflict marriage outperform those raised in step-parent situations on a variety of measures. 10. Children who live with both biological parents are physically healthier by 20 to 35 percent than children from broken households (Dawson). 11. They are also psychologically healthier because they do not suffer from the chronic stress and anxiety that comes with growing up in an unstable home environment. Furthermore, children who experience both natural parenting and close paternal involvement tend to value time spent with their parents more highly than children who only have one of these things. This may help explain why children from married homes are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol than those from other types of families. Finally, research shows that fathers play a vital role in preventing childhood obesity. When dads are involved in their children's activities, eat together as a family, and take care of their physical health by exercising with them or taking them to the doctor, they are more likely to encourage healthy behaviors among their offspring. Children need both their parents in their lives. If one parent is missing, another should be designated as a "co-parent." This person can either be the spouse of the absent parent or someone else who the child calls "dad" or "mom." It is important for children to see their parents working together to raise them well.