Fatherhood Awareness Month Proclamation 2022
WHEREAS, research demonstrates that children who have an involved father are more likely to be emotionally secure, confident to explore their surroundings and have better social connections as they grow older; and
WHEREAS, with fathers actively engaged, children are less vulnerable to the risks of childhood poverty, mental illness, juvenile delinquency, youth sexual activity, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and failure to complete high school; and
WHEREAS, in the United States, 18.3 million children (1 in 4) live without a biological father, stepfather, or adoptive father in the home; in Virginia, more than 340,000 children, and in Fairfax, nearly 34,000 children, live without a father in the home; and
WHEREAS, involvement of fathers in the lives of their children increases the likelihood of success in social skills, academic performance, adult careers, employment goals and involved parenting skills for their future families; and
WHEREAS, programs in Fairfax County to help fathers gain parenting skills and economic self-sufficiency include Healthy Families Fairfax; the Head Start Policy Council; the Father Engagement and Parent Education programs in collaboration with Neighborhood and Community Services; and additional county and community-based agencies; NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby proclaim June 2022 as
Fatherhood Awareness Month
in Fairfax County to raise public awareness of the importance of fatherhood and the importance of a father's engagement with his children and family.
Jeffrey C. McKay, Chairman,
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Walter L. Alcorn, Supervisor,
Hunter Mill District
(return to Fatherhood Awareness Month)